West Bengal government is planning to establish a new food processing unit in north Bengal to process maize and make various products, including poultry feeds.

The food processing and horticulture department will seek CM Mamata Banerjee's approval to work on a proposal to develop a mishti (sweet) hub in north Bengal too.

Arup Roy, state minister for food processing and horticulture, said,"We have received a proposal from sweetmeat sellers of north Bengal to develop a mishti hub. We will place it before the CM and work will start once she gives the go- ahead."

Currently, Bengal has around 100 food processing units, including MSMEs, and 10% of them are run by govt.

As for the new unit, Roy said,"We are preferring Siliguri or its nearby area to start it. Initially, this unit will process only maize and make different food items. We will try to make the unit operational as soon as possible in 2025." 

Bengal was also trying to raise the cultivation of exotic fruits like kiwi, avocado and dragon and seeds were being given to farmers.