Policy impacts on fruit and vegetable processing sector in West Bengal

Abstract

Fruit and vegetable processing sector is one of the core segments under food processing in West Bengal. Development of this sector is critically important to the expansion and diversification of state's agricultural sector. It provides vital linkages and harnesses synergies between the two pillars of our economy, industry and agriculture. Several policies have been undertaken over time by union and state government to promote the activities of food processing in general and fruit and vegetable processing in particular in the state. In this paper we have made a brief review on the nature of the policy changes towards this sector and also analyze its impacts. And, it has been observed that the policy interventions at various levels, especially in late 90’s, have created number of positive impacts on its performance at varying levels like investment, income, employment generation, level of processing etc. The government policies in a new liberal regime have primarily benefited the large scale units which have emerged as the group of new dominant players in the state's processing sector. This sector would gain further strength as the state government very recently has introduced a specific policy package towards this particular sector. Despite of significant growth in this sector in the state, the proportion of production processed commercially has not increased adequately. The main constraint lies behind this with infrastructure, technology, quality measurement and lack of farm-firm linkages. Hence, government should come forward to look after such problems and take appropriate policies according to the needs.