• Cashewnut is largely grown in the state, mostly in the coastal belt areas under the Contai Sub-Division and in some parts of Jhargram and Paschim Midnapore. The crop has good prospect in the Bankura and Purulia districts.

• The climate and sandy loam soil of the coastal areas are extremely favourable for Cashewnut cultivation.

• The Department for Food Processing Industries and Horticulture, Govt. of West Bengal has a Cashew Development Farm at Digha for undertaking research and development work of cashew. For the overall development of Cashewnut cultivation, this Department has taken up schemes like expansion of cashew area, rejuvenation of old orchards and establishment of Cashewnut nurseries and training of farmers.

Potato-One of the Thrust Areas of Investment:

• One of the most essential and important vegetables in the world.

• West Bengal is the second largest producer of potatoes in India and its average per-day productivity is higher than the world average.

• The range of products includes Dried Potato Slice/Cube, Potato Flour, Dehydrated Potatoes, Potato Snack Food, Potato Flakes and Chips. Potato Snack Food is the most popular snack food in the world over. Potato flour is used in bakery items like bread, biscuits, cakes, pastries and cookies for better nutrition and taste.

• Great potential exists for exporting seeds/fresh produce of potato from West Bengal to the SAARC and other Asian countries because the varieties accepted and cultivated in these countries are similar to that prevailing in the state.

• Significant investment has taken place in potato processing in the state by Frito Lay (India), Potato King Pvt. Ltd.

Mushroom: One of the sectors in New Investment:

Mushroom, grown widely in Darjeeling district is a potential sector of investment.

It is a substitute for animal protein and egg, containing Vitamin – B, C, D & K and Minerals viz. calcium, phosphorous, iron, copper and potassium. Demand for mushroom in the local market is increasing day by day. It has also got a very good export market.

Mushrooms can be produced intensively on an industrial basis and the operation can be fully controlled by the processor. The operation can be situated wherever suitable land, labour and utilities are in existence. 

West Bengal has all that is required to become a leading mushroom producer including low-cost labour, requisite temperatures, plentiful supply of agro-residues like rice straw and other inputs, including easy availability of power at reasonable prices, for large scale mushroom cultivation. The most popular variety is the button mushroom, which is canned, or bulk brined for export but other varieties are also grown. The most potential market is the US and Europe.

Export of Fruits and Vegetables from the State:

• The West Bengal State Food Processing and Horticulture Development Corporation Limited is exporting fresh vegetables like Brinjal, Tomato, Ladies-finger, Green Banana, Sweet Potato and Green Chilli every alternate week from the state to UK. They have also started exporting mangoes to Malaysia and Singapore. They are also planning to export mangoes to UK this year. The Corporation will start exporting coconut to UK very soon.

• The Corporation is of the view that the vegetables grown in the state have great export market potential. The traditional vegetables, which are thought to have demand only in the domestic market, have significant demand in the international market also, owing to the vast NRI population.