Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare and Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan is undertaking a two-day visit to West Bengal on July 13-14, 2026. The visit features high-level consultations with Chief Minister Shri Suvendu Adhikari and direct engagement with jute farmers and women Self-Help Groups.
On July 13, the Minister will arrive in Kolkata and proceed directly to the Chief Minister's residence for a dinner meeting focusing on strengthening Centre-State cooperation on agriculture, farmers' welfare schemes, rural roads, housing, and employment.
On July 14, a high-level review meeting will be held at the New Secretariat Building in Kolkata attended by the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, senior state department officials, and senior officers from the Government of India. The Central team will present the status of major flagship programs including PM-KISAN, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, Minimum Support Price operations, Viksit Bharat–GRAMG, rural roads and housing initiatives, and funds allocated to Panchayati Raj Institutions. Detailed discussions will focus on the future roadmap for accelerating agricultural growth and rural development in the state.
Later in the afternoon, the Minister will visit the ICAR–Central Research Institute for Jute and Allied Fibres at Barrackpore to interact with jute farmers and women from Self-Help Groups. He will hear first-hand from farmers about challenges in jute cultivation including retting, water availability, pest and disease management, production costs, and market prices, with discussions focusing on enhancing farmers' share in the jute value chain.
ICAR-CRIJAF scientists will showcase improved jute varieties and demonstrate modern retting techniques, water conservation practices, and simplified processing and marketing technologies. Women Self-Help Groups will be introduced to opportunities in jute-based products and value addition, with focus on promoting rural entrepreneurship, increasing household incomes, and creating sustainable employment opportunities in villages.