MCCI organized MCCI Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Conclave on the theme ‘Rural Livelihoods to Global Markets: Scaling West Bengal’s Livestock and Aquaculture Potential’ on Thursday, 3 July 2025 at 3 pm at Park Hotel.

Shri Pradip Mazumdar, Hon’ble Minister of Panchayat & Rural Development, Government of West Bengal and Chairman, West Bengal State Rural Livelihoods Mission (WBSRLM), Shri Swapan Debnath, Hon’ble Minister of Animal Resources Development, Government of West Bengal and Shri Biplab Roy Chowdhury, Hon’ble MoS (IC) of Fisheries, Aquaculture, Aquatic Resources and Fishing Harbour, Government of West Bengal addressed the gathering as Chief Guests. Dr. Abhijit Shevale, IAS, Special Secretary, Department of Animal Resources Development, Government of West Bengal and Dr. Utpal Kumar Karmakar, Managing Director, West Bengal Livestock Development Corporation Ltd. (WBLDCL) addressed as Guests of Honour.
Shri Swapan Debnath congratulated MCCI for organizing the Conclave on Animal Husbandry and Fisheries. The State Government also believes that this sector has huge potential to become an organized industry. Hon’ble Minister informed that the Government of West Bengal has extended Egg Production Incentive Scheme 2017 for poultry to 31 August 2025. Under this scheme, till now the total production of egg has now increased to Rs. 33.90 cr and generated employment for 20000.
Hon’ble Minister highlighted that West Bengal had total demand for eggs of 1528 cr. where as the state produced 1690 cr. of eggs. So, West Bengal is self sufficient in production of eggs.
Shri Debnath mentioned that the Department has set up Poultry Breeding Firm at Jalpaiguri. The Government of West Bengal exported meat to Qatar for Football World Cup 2022.
Shri Debnath said that meat of Black Bengal Goat has huge potential in protein intake and requested the private sector to harvest this meat. In 2023-24, West Bengal produced 2000 Lt. of milk and generated Rs. 367 cr. from it.

Shri Pradip Mazumdar said that under “Anondodhara”, the Government of West Bengal has organized 12 lakh 10 thousand Self Help Groups where quality SHGs are trained under IIM.
Shri Mazumdar mentioned that elastic demand for fish in West Bengal. Among other issues, he said that the state purchases paddy at higher than MSP.
Shri Mazumdar informed that West Bengal has registered growth in egg production at 18% compare to 3-4% in India. West Bengal produced 76.5 lakh MT of 2024 and corporates can enter the dairy business in West Bengal.
Shri Biplab Roy Chowdhury said that the West Bengal is the highest producer of fish in India. Now the State has started to export fish to Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand.
Hon’ble Minister stated that under the scheme “Abhay Pukur”, the State Government has procured 33 rare species of fish. Already the Department has identified 20 ponds for this procurement scheme. The State is now focusing on harvesting large fish and also giving special emphasis on harvesting Hilsa.
Hon’ble Minister mentioned that the Department has come up with QR indentification card for fisherman which ensures their safety and provide compensation of Rs. 2 lakhs in case of death.
Dr. Abhijit Shevale said that in a remote block in Purulia chicken and goat were not getting weighed by farmers. When the FPC was formed the chicken and black Bengal goat started to be weighed.
Dr. Shevale mentioned the FPC has introduced goat feed which is a good source of protein. He added that income from livestock goes to the women while income from firm goes to the men.
Dr. Utpal Kumar Karmakar informed that West Bengal Livestock Development Corporation Ltd. (WBLDCL) last year, has witnessed total Rs.1600 cr. turnover. Haringhata Meat plan has 300 live chicken counters where 15000 chickens are slaughtered daily and 700 frozen meat outlets in total.
Dr. Karmakar mentioned that under Broiler Integrated Project, 2800 farmers are getting chicken feeds. WBLDCL has assured 800 inhouse employment. Deases Diagnostic Lab has been set up at Kalyani. The total meat sell has increased from Rs.34 cr. to Rs. 106 cr., over the last year.
WBLDCL is giving the piglets to marginal farmers, especially women for harvesting pig meat to the North East.
Shri Amit Saraogi, President, MCCI in his Welcome Address said that Animal Husbandry & Fisheries sectors have evolved from traditional practices to modern, technology-driven industries which are vital to India’s economic growth, contributing significantly to food security, employment and the socio-economic fabric of our nation, particularly in states like West Bengal. The state ranks first in inland fish production, contributing 18.5% to India’s total fisheries output, and leads in shrimp and ornamental fish production. In livestock, West Bengal holds a 12.62% share of India’s meat production, with poultry and goat meat as key contributors.

Shri Partha Sur, Chairman, Council on Animal Husbandry & Fisheries, MCCI in his Theme Address said that the livestock and fisheries sectors are vital for West Bengal’s rural communities. In West Bengal, total poultry production has registered at 6 lakh MT and West Bengal is the highest egg producer in India.
The Session ended with a hearty Vote of Thanks proposed by Shri Suresh Agarwal, Hony. Secretary, MCCI and Chairman, Council on Agriculture, Horticulture & Food Processing.
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