The Bengal Chamber of Commerce organises Rural Connect 2020

Deb A Mukherjee, President Designate , The Bengal Chamber, said, "The Conclave focuses on the agriculture and rural development achieved by the State and the challenges ahead.  The Conclave was addressed by the leaders of the agriculture and rural sector. The conclave hopes to highlight the successful models of rural development to continue in path of sustainability and also explore opportunities in research, entrepreneurship and education.

Such forums also aims to bring on a common platform all stakeholders of the state’s  rural economy together. Agri cultivators also should not just look to be agri producers but focus on developing themselves as agri entrepreneurs. When farmer’s value in the value chain increases, there will be true progress in agri sector and economy. Also self reliance of women in this sector should be a very important focus."

Satyabrata Mukherjee, Chairperson, Agriculture & Rural Development  Committee, The Bengal Chamber, stated, "The Conclave had the participation of farmers, agriculture-entrepreneurs, fishery owners and exporters, cooperative panchayat representatives and all others related to agriculture and rural development. The program will be attended by various Government departments, World Bank and other banks and insurance companies.

During the Conclave, the Chamber felicitates successful FPOs, SHGs, cooperatives, rural cooperative Banks, cooperative farmers, agriculture- entrepreneurs and others in its “Rural Connect Conclave-2020” to inspire the people at large who are working in these sectors relentlessly for inclusive growth.

Several theme based sessions like Future of Rural Bengal-Agriculture and allied sectors, Flying High:Krishi, Krishak & Bangla, For a Better Rural Life: Swarojgar & Swanirbhar Bangla”, Future Rural Industries-Poultry, fisheries and animal husbandry  have been designed along with B2B sessions for leading agriculture players, agro realted industries, bankers, and product oriented companies  potential  progressive farmers and users."

According to Pradip Kumar Mazumdar, Adviser to Chief Minister for Agriculture and Allied Sector, Government of West Bengal, one should look beyond increasing food production and instead focus on increasing the income of farmers and find ways and means to speed up that.

Malay Kumar Poddar, CMD, Agriculture Insurance Company of India Limited, said, “Insurance in agriculture is on the rise with 45 lakh farmers in 22 districts under insurance in Kharif 19. Also 35 lakhs farmers of 15 districts are under AIC (Agriculture Insurance Company of India). We are also trying to bring down premium rate to lessen burden on Government.

We are trying to cover insurance in all sectors in Rural economy asides from agriculture like animal husbandry, poultry, fisheries, farm machineries under a comprehensive insurance cover. Talks are on with IRDA. This insurance will benefit all connected with rural livelihood."

“The West Bengal government has taken several measures towards development of Rural economy. There are several schemes that have been floated towards farmers benefit which are running with success. West Bengal government is engaging in further study and research to bring more and more schemes towards the farmer’s growth and development.

But more needs to be done to spread government policies among the rural sector to help further the rural  economy .On the occasion we are releasing a research paper called Connecting Rural Dots-Touching lives," stated Ambarish Dasgupta, Former President, the Bengal Chamber and Founder and Senior Partner-Intueri Consulting LLP.