An appraisal of agricultural transformation: A case study of Hooghly District of West Bengal

Agriculture is the pivot of economic growth and development of any nation. Like other developing countries in India also agriculture plays a dominant role for the economic development. During the first (1951-1956), second (1956-1961) and third (1961-1966) five year plans foodgrains production was the concerned of development strategy. This was the periods, when large junk of Indian population were suffered from food insecurity and malnutrition. The policymakers searched for something new to enhance the agricultural production. In mid 1960s the introduction of green revolution showed spectacular results and the production of food grains increased significantly. Later agricultural scientists put emphasis on the restructuration of Indian farming system. As a result in the beginning of the 21st century Indian farming has been shifting from traditional farming to modern commercial agriculture due to availability and growth of infrastructural facilities like improved seed varieties, fertilizers, pesticides, supplies and services, market facilities, literacy, mass media, research, teaching and extension. Besides, Indian economy has been undergoing structural transformation from an agro-based to knowledge-based services and industrial economy but the agricultural sector is still the mainstay as about half of India’s population is wholly or significantly dependent on agriculture and allied activities for their livelihood. Hooghly is one of the most important agricultural based industrial districts of West Bengal, about 70% of its population depend on agriculture and represents an important and remarkable place in the field of agriculture in West Bengal. In Hooghly, with the invention of science, technology and its application in agricultural field gives more growth and developed agricultural products. In this paper a detailed retrospective of agricultural development for the past few years i.e. from 2008 to 2013 in terms of agricultural production of principal crops, vegetables, fruits, flowers; yield capacity of these crops; net sown area; gross sown area; cropping intensity; irrigation facilities; consumption of fertilizers; availability of warehouses and cold storages are analyzed.