Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare and Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan conducted a two-day visit to West Bengal on July 13-14, 2026, focusing on agriculture and rural development initiatives. The visit included high-level discussions with Chief Minister Shri Suvendu Adhikari at the Chief Minister's residence, featuring a dinner meeting focused on strengthening Centre-State cooperation on agriculture, farmers' welfare schemes, rural roads, housing, and employment.
On July 14, a comprehensive review meeting was 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 presented 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 were held on the future roadmap for accelerating agricultural growth and rural development in the state.
Later in the afternoon, the Minister visited the ICAR–Central Research Institute for Jute and Allied Fibres at Barrackpore, where he interacted directly with jute farmers and women from Self-Help Groups. Farmers shared challenges in jute cultivation including retting processes, 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 demonstrated improved jute varieties, modern retting techniques, water conservation practices, and simplified processing and marketing technologies. Women Self-Help Groups were introduced to opportunities in jute-based products and value addition to promote rural entrepreneurship, increase household incomes, and create sustainable employment opportunities in villages.