31 July 2026, Malda
In a significant step towards promoting sustainable horticulture and enhancing farmers' income, ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra (CISH), Malda, in collaboration with the District Administration, Malda, has launched a major initiative under the flagship "AMAR Malda" programme to promote Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), branding, and market-led production of rainy season vegetables.
Initially, the vegetable cluster was established with financial support from four ICAR institutes—ISRI, Lucknow, CISH Lucknow, IIVR, Varanasi and ATARI, Kolkata. The initiative is now being further expanded and strengthened through the "AMAR MALDA" initiative.
A high-level meeting, chaired by Shri Rajanvir Singh Kapur, IAS, District Magistrate, Malda, brought together vegetable growers, officials from line departments, block-level functionaries, and scientists of ICAR-KVK, Malda to formulate a roadmap for developing a premium vegetable value chain. The initiative aims to promote quality production through Good Agricultural Practices, gradual adoption of organic cultivation, and stronger market linkages with hotels, retail chains, shopping malls, cooperatives, e-commerce platforms, and direct farmer-to-consumer (D2C) channels, while exploring domestic and export markets.
Dr Pradip Dey, Director, ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Kolkata, described the initiative as an exemplary model of convergence between scientific institutions and the district administration for translating research into field-level impact. He stated that such partnerships strengthen farmer-centric value chains, promote rural entrepreneurship, and position Malda as a leading hub for high-quality fruits and vegetables with strong domestic and export potential. He further remarked that the initiative reflects the call of the ICAR leadership to break institutional silos and promote convergence among stakeholders for achieving greater impact in the agricultural sector.
With technical guidance from ICAR-KVK, Malda, a vegetable cluster comprising 10 villages covering 100 hectares and benefiting 250 farmers has been identified, with an estimated annual production value of ₹3.25 crore. The cluster development strategy emphasizes improved vegetable varieties, quality seedling production, Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), Integrated Pest and Disease Management (IPDM), capacity building, climate-resilient technologies, and reduction in production costs to enhance profitability and sustainability.
The programme also envisages the establishment of community collection, sorting and grading centres, affordable transportation systems, digital marketing platforms, and branding under the "AMAR Malda" initiative to create a competitive and sustainable vegetable sector while reducing dependence on intermediaries.
The District Magistrate appreciated the pioneering role of ICAR-KVK, Malda in identifying the vegetable cluster and implementing technology-driven interventions that laid the foundation for the "AMAR Malda" initiative.
The programme underscores the successful convergence between the District Administration, Malda and ICAR-KVK, Malda in promoting innovation-led horticultural development, sustainable vegetable production, improved market access, and enhanced livelihood opportunities for farmers.
(Source: ICAR- Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Kolkata)
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