West Bengal Co-operation Minister Arup Roy was present at the workshop held on Wednesday last.

Speaking on the occasion, Roy emphasized on the purchase of pesticides only from registered pesticide dealers who have valid license: “People who work with pesticides should receive proper training in their safe use,” he said.

The minister also distributed safety kits among the farmers taking part in the programme.

In his inaugural speech Satyabrata Mukherjee, the Chairperson of Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, BBC&I stressed on the future prospect of agricultural development in the state.

He hinted that BCC&I is planning to create agricultural production hub in Bengal in cooperation with HIL and MIDH.

Dr. Sanjeev Chopra IAS, Additional Chief Secretary and In-Charge, Department of Agriculture, Govt. of West Bengal, Dr. Pijush Pramanik, Director, Govt. of  West Bengal, Directorate of Horticulture, R. K.  Mondal, Deputy General Manager, Agriculture & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Dr. Sain Dass, Scientist, Hindustan Insecticides Limited and Ajeet Verma, Manager (Seed Production), Hindustan Insecticides Limited were present in the event.

Sutanu Ghosh, President, The Bengal Chamber, drew attention towards a wide range of human health hazards caused by indiscriminate use of pesticides and insecticides.

Time and again the usage of the safety kits (comprising of apron, glasses, gloves, gumboots) during the spraying of pesticides was emphasized by almost all the speakers present on the occasion.

The Agricultural and Rural Development Committee of The Bengal Chamber has taken up the initiative to spread knowledge and awareness among the farmers.

(Reporting by Manjima Bhattacharya)