Kolkata: The Bengal govt, which already has its own dairy brand, Banglar Dairy, plans to launch its own edible oil brand, primarily focusing on mustard oil, food and supplies and cooperation minister Ashok Kirtania said on Wednesday.Addressing a programme organised by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) in Kolkata, Kirtania said the state govt wanted to boost oilseed production to make Bengal self-sufficient in edible oil.“We want to increase oilseed production in the state to become self-sufficient. At the same time, we want to establish our own edible oil brand in the market and seek support from NDDB,” Kirtania said.NDDB chairman Meenesh Shah said the board would help the state govt establish its own edible oil brand.“The Bengal govt wants to promote its own brand of mustard oil in the state. We will be able to help them because we already have experience of marketing edible oil. We are also open to helping the state govt in procurement, if required,” Shah said.State agricultural marketing and panchayats and rural development minister Dilip Ghosh said Bengal procured mustard from Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, as well as from abroad.As part of the initiative, NDDB will immediately launch a pilot project across 525 acres in East Burdwan, Murshidabad, West Midnapore, Jhargram and South 24 Parganas. The project aims to increase the production of mustard, groundnut and sunflower by engaging four milk cooperatives and six farmer producer organisations (FPOs). NDDB will procure the entire production from these participants.
