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• The
state has identified crops, where it has strength and which
present the most significant opportunities. These are:
Pineapple, Lychee,
Mango,
 Potato, Tomato, Papaya, Green
Vegetables, Rice,
Bettle vine, Mushroom, Coconut and Cashew nut.
• The
state is a major center for vegetable production, with good
off-season production of temperate types. There is a lot of
scope for fresh vegetable exports. There must be emphasis on
premium quality and high yield to replace high priced supplies
from Australia and USA.
• Market
opportunities also exist in selling the fresh fruits and
vegetables in local and interstate market.
• The
state being the first largest producer of rice in India offers
scope for supplying the excess produce to the interstate
markets. This would help channel the surplus to other markets,
preventing a glut in the market.
• The
state is a significant producer of different varieties of
scented rice, which has potential both for domestic branding and
export.
Investment
Opportunities across Farming seeing the huge potential in
Horticulture are:
•
Production of Hybrid Seeds, Plants, Tissue Culture.
• Setting
up of Nurseries and Export Oriented Horticulture Estates –
Organic Farming.
• Growing
Processable Varieties of Fruits and Vegetables.
• Green
House Production.
Investment
Opportunities across Floriculture/Medicinal Plants and Herbs:
• There is
a booming market for cut flowers in Western Europe and since
October to February is a lean season for flower production in
Europe (because of the snowfall), West Bengal, particularly the
northern part of it can take advantage of this and engage in
flower production, as this period is perfectly suitable for
 production in the identified area.
• There is
good potential for exporting flowers like Gladioli, Gerbera,
Tuberose, Rose and Orchids to countries like Netherlands, Middle
East, U.K and Japan. Japan is a large consumption market for
flowers. It is one of the largest importers of orchids.
• Indoor plant and foliages like – Thuja, Asparagus, Palms,
Cycads, and Ferns, which grow profusely in West Bengal, also
have very good demand.
• Plant-lets, bulbs and corms, growing extensively in the state
also have export potential.
• Other than export market, flowers can also be sold in the
local and interstate markets.
• The state also grows different varieties of medicinal plants
and herbs, which have significant demand in India as well as
abroad.
WHO has predicted that by 2020, the total transaction in
medicinal plants would amount to 3 trillion US Dollar per year
and by 2050, the market for medicinal plants and its derivatives
would be valued at 5 trillion US Dollar.
The state also grows various aromatic plants and the State
Medicinal Plant Board encourages farmers to cultivate different
aromatic plants. |
