Bengal Govt sets up agriculture commission

Kolkata, Aug 25 (UNI) The West Bengal Government today announced setting up of a 15-member Agriculture Commission for the overall improvement of agri scenario and economic upliftment of farmers in the state.

Agriculture Minister Naren De told a press conference that comprising noted agriculturists, scientists and acadimions, the Commission would be headed by former Calcutta University Vice-Chancellor R N Basu.

The Commission, appointed at a crucial juncture when the state needs a huge amount of land for setting up of industries, has been asked to submit its recommendations on various issues in six months from the date of notification, expected to be issued soon.

Mr De said the Commission had been asked to bring to the Government's attention the emerging problems in the areas of crop cultivation, fisheries, animal husbandry, horticulture and environment and recommend suitable remedial steps.

''The Commission is expected to go into a wide range of areas to give suggestions on technologies, seeds, product diversification, marketing, water management, forestry and conversion of wasteland into agricultural land. It will also recommend how to generate additional employment in rural areas and increase the income of the people,'' the Minister said.

In reply to a question, Mr De said the Government had been in constant touch with noted agro-scientists and National Farmers Commission Chairman M S Swaminathan for his advise on improvement of agriculture.

Taking a massive plunge for industrialisation, the Left Front Government reached a cross road needing to acquire of thousands of acres of farm land and at the same time maintain the agricultural upsurge achieved in the eighties.

Soon after coming back to power for the seventh time, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee had announced in May last his Government's decision to set up such a commission. Mr Bhattacharjee had also held parleys with Prof. Saminathan seeking his advise on various issues.

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