The Bengal Chamber of Commerce & Industry organized its Annual Rural Conclave − Rural Connect 2022 on 22nd & 23rd February 2022. The objective of the programme is to create a comprehensive platform to deliberations on policy perspective, market opportunities, technology driven platform for rural and agro produce, and innovative financing options for Indian rural market stakeholders’. The conclave was attended by the eminent personalities from agriculture, rural, finance and technology sector. The inaugural session was graced by Shri Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay, Hon’ble Minister− In−Charge, Department of Agriculture, Government of West Bengal, Dr. A R Khan, Chief General Manager, NABARD, Dr. Sudip Kumar Chakrabarti, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya and the Father of Indian Rural Marketing, Mr. Pradip Kashyap, Founder, MART.

In his remarks, the Hon'ble Minister−in−Charge, Shri Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay, mentioned the achievements of the State Government in the field of agriculture. He also noted that the state government is emphasizing market−driven agriculture rather than production−driven agriculture at the moment. The Hon'ble Minister−in−Charge further highlighted that the West Bengal government launched the Bangla Shasya Bima Yojana to help farmers by covering their insurance premiums in the event of crop failure due to unforeseen reasons. It is a fully funded state programme that provides crop insurance compensation to impacted farmers as soon as feasible. He also cited a number of initiatives spearheaded by the state government, including:

• 1,845 Custom Hiring Centre established in last decade with 40% Government subsidy
• Mechanical Paddy Transplanter introduced − economical tool for Paddy growers
• Rs. 732.93 crore (USD 98.1 Mn) subsidy provided to farmers till 2020−21
• State of the Art training centre on farm operations named as Matignatha
• Farm power increased from 1.37 KW/ha to 2.21 KW/ha in the last decade
• West Bengal has a cold storage capacity of 7.98 MMT, largest in East, Northeast and second largest in India
• There are 576 cold storages in the State, which is fifth largest (in number) in the country
• The State has one of the lowest cold storage rentals and one of the lowest warehousing storage rates per month
• 186 Krishak Bazars (Farmers Markets) have already been set up in the state
• Sufal Bangla a direct marketing initiative, connects farmers in groups like FPO/FPC to the consumers directly was launched in 2014
• Livestock in West Bengal is estimated at around 3.74 crore (37.4 million). The state ranks first in the country in cattle population and, notably, operates a well− functioning beef sector.
• West Bengal is the 9th largest dairy market in India, with a production of 16.9 million litres of milk per day. However, with a daily shortage of 13.3 lakh (1.33 million) litres per day, the state caters to 93% of the indigenous demand.
• The state has self−sufficiency in poultry meat production; a fair share of this indigenous production is exported to Bihar, Jharkhand and other north−eastern states.
• Egg production in West Bengal has risen by a whopping 162% over the past decade (2010−20) and is estimated to be at 1,203 crore (12.03 billion) per annum. However, this production caters to 84% of indigenous demand resulting in daily import requirement of 60 to 65 lakh (6−6.5 million) eggs from other states.

Dr. A R Khan, NABARD's Chief General Manager, explicitly emphasised Geographical Identification of Rural and Agro Produce, and stated that NABARD is eager to promote GI products from the eastern region of the country in his remarks. Dr. Khan further said that NABARD might assist with any GI product promotion research, study, or seminars/conferences. NABARD is also planning to organize exhibition and fair for only GI tagged product from West Bengal.

Hon'ble Vice−Chancellor of Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Dr. Sudip Kumar Chakrabarti, spoke about the university's entrepreneurial programme for fresh agriculture graduates. In his remarks, he also noted the potential of exports from North Bengal and how this new avenue may boost the region's socio−economic activity.

Mr. Pradip Kashyap, the Father of Indian Rural Marketing and Founder of MART, spoke about his three decades of experience in the Indian rural market. Mr. Kashyap also cited the untapped potential of the Indian rural market and its stakeholders in his deliberation. He also discussed how the rural sector contributes to India's GDP and how this market may aid the country's economic growth.

The Inaugural Session will be concluded by Mr. Jayanta Chakraborty, Chairperson − Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

Followed by the inaugural session, the conclave also organized the following sessions:

• CEO’s ROUNDTABLE ON “ VISION 2030 − India’s Rural Market Competitiveness and Opportunities”
• Indian Agriculture 2030 − Opportunities, Challenges and Innovation
• Global Value Chains And Agriculture − Connecting Producers To Consumers

The session on CEO’s ROUNDTABLE ON “VISION 2030 − India’s Rural Market Competitiveness and Opportunities” was graced by Mr. Jayen Mehta, Chief Operating Officer, AMUL (GCMMF), Mr. G K Venugopal, India Business Head, Indofil Industries Limited, Mr. Ramkrishna Mudholkar, Former President, DuPont South Asia. The session was moderated by Mr. Hemendra Mathur, Venture Capitalist, Bharat Innovation Fund. After this session, A fireside Chat Session was organized between Mr. Ram Kaundinya, Director General, FSII and Mr. Jayanta Chakraborty, Chairperson, Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, The Bengal Chamber and Senior General Manager, Indofil Industries Limited on “Indian Agriculture 2030 − Opportunities, Challenges and Innovation”.

Followed by this session, a panel discussion organized on Global Value Chains and Agriculture − Connecting Producers To Consumers. The panel discussion was attended by Mr. Pratap Bose, General Manager, Pepsi−Co, Mr. Azhar Phatan, Business Head − Banana, Mahindra Agri Solutions Ltd Mr. Tapas Konar, Chief Executive Officer, Ramnagar Seed Farm Private Limited. The DAY 1 of Rural Connect concluded with this session.

On Day 2, the conclave began with a very interesting Fireside Chat Session with Mr. Challa Sreenivasulu Setty, Managing Director, State Bank of India on Indian Rural and Agriculture Market Competiveness − Vision of India's Largest Bank with Mr. Ambarish Dasgupta, Former President, The Bengal Chamber and Founder & Senior Partner − Intueri Consulting LLP on Indian Rural and Agriculture Market Competiveness − Vision of India's Large Mr. Ambarish Dasgupta, the Managing Director of State Bank of India, outlined a few major initiatives undertaken by the bank in his conversation with him:

• Since its inception in 1998, the State Bank's Kisan Credit Card has been a lifeline for farmers. In addition, the bank has launched loan products for Self Help Groups (SHGs), Asset−Backed Agri Loans, Tractor & Farm Mechanisation Loans, Loans Against Gold Ornaments, and Loans for Investment Activities such as Dairy, Poultry, Goatery, Piggery, Horticulture, and so on.
• The Bank is financing loans for agriculture infrastructure under the Aatma Nirbhar Bharat programmes, in keeping with the Government of India's objective of doubling farmers' income. Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs)/ Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), which will be the future of agriculture, have also been given financial facilities.
• They have started Co−Lending with NBFCs / NBFC−MFIs to reach diversified geographical areas to support Agri and allied activities.
• In this digital age, State Bank is looking into partnering with Agri−tech firms to supply farmers with technology enablers with integrated, fast, and efficient finance.
• Further their YONO Krishi mobile app, a one stop solution for all needs of farmers, offers market linkage to farmers, latest updates in Agriculture space, end to end digitised loan to dairy farmers, review of KCC loans and Agri Gold loans.

Following this engaging fireside talk, a panel discussion on "Market Connect − Tech & Finance Driven Marketing Strategies" was held. Mr. Ranadeep Das, CEO & Director, InGreens, Mr. Deepak Kalia, Senior Vice President, Growth & Strategy, DeHaat, and Mr. Hemendra Mathur, Venture Capitalist, Bharat Innovation Fund, were all present at the panel discussion.

Following the panel discussion, Mr. Sachin Sharma, Vice− President and Head − Channel & Dairy Operations, ITC Limited, and Mr. Jayanta Chakraborty, Chairperson, Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, The Bengal Chamber and Senior General Manager, Indofil Industries Limited, held a Fire Side Chat Session on "Defining New Age Farming Through Climate Smart Agriculture."

A panel discussion on Geographical Identification Of Rural Products : A Marketing Stance To Create A Better Business Model followed this session. Mr. Abhilash Gorhe, Technical Expert − Quality Council of India (QCI); Secretary, Avocado India; and Chief Consultant − Samrudhhi Exchange and Ms. Suprava Mallick, Consultant, APEDA; were present in the panel discussion.

The Rural Connect was attended by various rural stakeholders including corporates, FPOs, Government organizations and many others.