Our performance will prove that Bengal is No. 1: Mamata

West Bengal's future is agriculture and industry and performance will prove that the state is at the top, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Monday.

"Saying things outside will not work. Performance will prove that our West Bengal is number one," Banerjee said at the inauguration of the golden jubilee celebrations of West Bengal Cold Storage Association.

"Agriculture is our pride and industry is our future. Bengal's future is agriculture and industry," she said, adding that the government was against forcible acquisition of land but has land banks for the needs of the industry.

The chief minister said the government was setting up cold storages in all blocks besides warehouses and kisan mandis in the PPP model for which land has been identified.

"If we work together, there is big opportunity for big business. We have a PPP policy," she said, urging investors to bet on agro-based industries as there is a clear gap between demand and supply.

"Why should West Bengal import vegetables from other states?

“Even fish is imported.

“We have to be self-sufficient. We have to increase our capacity for seed production as we spend Rs 1,500 crore (Rs 15 billion) for seed procurement.

"We must utilise the opportunities we have.

“We have a huge market for eggs.

“There is lot of scope in poultry and fisheries.

“Like you keep potatoes in cold storage, you should build capacity for fish also," Banerjee said, adding in the absence of adequate cold storage facilities for fish, Bengal has to import fish from outside, including Bangladesh.

“On rising fertiliser prices, she said farmers are facing difficult times and "We must stand beside them."

Image: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Photograph: Reuters