|
Salient Features of West Bengal Horticulture/Agriculture:
• Largest producer of rice, pineapple and vegetables in the
country.
• The state produces 0.25 million tons of fruits and over 10
million tons of vegetables.
• The pineapple variety found in the state is wholly
 processable,
making West Bengal the ideal destination for Pineapple processing units.
On an average, the state accounts for 23% of national pineapple
production.
• Second largest producer of potato and lychee.
• The varieties of lychees grown in the state are Bombai and
Muzaffarpur, which are similar to Shahi and Rose Scented –
considered
among the best varieties across the world in terms of
taste and flavour. Thus West Bengal has the opportunity to
export and tap the world market.
• A significant producer of mango, mandarin orange and sapota.
• The state grows the best processable variety of mango – the
Pickling variety.
• The state ranks third in India in flower production.
Floriculture turnover in the state is more than Rs. 63 crores
annually.
• The state also grows medicinal plants and herbs, which offer
exciting possibilities. A foundation in Bangalore has developed
a new drug for obesity control from the rind of a fruit of the
garcinia species, a plant that grows abundantly in West Bengal.
• In the last few years, the state has
witnessed a boost in the
production of spices, coconut, cashew nut, areca nut and betel
vine.
• Five Agri Export Zones across the state for Pineapple, Lychee,
Mango, Potato and Vegetables where the investors could enjoy
both Central and State Government incentives and benefits.
Production leadership across several items at a glance
|
Items
|
Country Rank |
|
Rice |
1st |
|
Jute |
1st |
|
Pineapple |
1st |
|
Vegetables |
1st |
|
Potato |
2nd |
|
Lychee |
2nd |
|
Tea |
2nd |
|
Flower |
3rd |
Source: Department of Food Processing Industries and
Horticulture, Govt. of West Bengal
|
