The West Bengal government is keen to push for exports of fresh fruits and vegetables for European and West Asian markets. However, stringent guidelines for export to Europe has come as a major cropper.

According to Abdur Rezzak Mollah, West Bengal Food Processing Minister, the State Government has already initiated the process of setting up requisite testing and quality control infrastructure that comply with European standards.

This include setting up of hot water treatment plant; use of sprinklers in farms and so on. Around ₹15 crore has already gone towards setting up of the hot water plant; while another ₹25 crore has been towards distribution of these modern sprinklers.

“Europe is extremely stringent about export quality norms and we are setting up the requisite testing facility in Bengal,” he told reporters on the sidelines of a CII seminar organised here in the city.

So far, one consignment of chillies has made its way to Europe; while plans are afoot to see litchees can be sent adhering to the quality norms.

However, Mollah points out to another problem. Despite the facilities being set up, not much is being used.

“Farmers don’t have the capital or wherewithal to spend on these facilities. But, even investors / exporters are not keen to use these testing facilities. We are asking them to go use the infra. the government can’t do it free of cost,” the minister added.

West Asia, however, he said, continues to be a dominant market for Bengal’s vegetables.

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