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, for high-level discussions on agricultural and rural development programs. The visit includes a dinner meeting with Chief Minister Shri Suvendu Adhikari on July 13th focusing on strengthening Centre-State cooperation on agriculture, farmers' welfare schemes, rural roads, housing, and employment initiatives.
On July 14th, a comprehensive review meeting will be held at the New Secretariat Building in Kolkata with the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, senior state department officials, and central government officers. The meeting will cover the status of major flagship programs including PM-KISAN, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, 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 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 directly with jute farmers and women from Self-Help Groups. Farmers will share challenges related to jute cultivation including retting processes, water availability, pest and disease management, production costs, and market prices, with additional discussions on enhancing farmers' share in the jute value chain. Scientists will demonstrate improved jute varieties, 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 to promote rural entrepreneurship, increase household incomes, and create sustainable employment opportunities.
The visit represents the Central Government's commitment to prioritizing agriculture and rural development in West Bengal through both high-level consultations and direct stakeholder engagement.