The Bengal Chamber of Commerce & Industry organized its 3rd Edition of Annual Rural Conclave "Rural Connect 2020" on 27th February 2020 at Hotel Vivanta, Kolkata. The Conclave focused on the agriculture and rural development achieved by the State and the challenges ahead. The Conclave was addressed by the leaders of the agriculture and rural sector. The conclave highlights the successful models of rural development to continue in path of sustainability and also explore opportunities in research, entrepreneurship and education.

The inaugural session was graced by Mr. Pradip Kumar Mazumdar, Advisor to Hon.ble Chief Minister on Agriculture & Allied Sector, Government of West Bengal. Apart from him, Mr. Malay Kumar Poddar, CMD, Agriculture Insurance Company of India Limited, Dr. Partha R Dasgupta, Advisor Emeritus - Syngenta Foundation, Ms. Choten D Lama, IAS, Secretary, Department of P&RD & CEO - WBSRLM, Mr. Ambarish Dasgupta, Former President, The Bengal Chamber & Founder & Senior Partner - Intueri Consulting LLP, Mr. Gautam Sen, General Manager, NABARD and Mr. Jayanta Chakraborty, Co-Chairperson, Agriculture & Rural Development Committee, The Bengal Chamber were also present and address the audience.

In the 2nd session, the conclave addressed topics like: "Flying High : Krishi, Krishak & Bangla", "For A Better Rural Life: Swarojgar & Swanirbhar Bangla", and Future Rural Industries "Poultry, Fisheries & Animal Husbandry". The conclave aimed to bring on a common platform all stakeholders of the state's rural economy together. Agri cultivators should not just look to be agri producers but also focus on developing themselves as agri entrepreneurs. When farmer's value in the value chain increases, there will be true progress in agri sector and economy. Also self reliance of women in this sector should be a very important focus of State Government.

Both the sessions were graced by Mr. Jayanta Chakraborty, Co-Chairperson, Agriculture & Rural Development Committee, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Senior General Manager - Indofil Industries Limited, Mr. Sampad Ranjan Patra, Director - Agriculture, Directorate of Agriculture, Government of West Bengal, Representative from Sufal Bangla (A Government of West Bengal Initiative), Mr. Soumen Biswas, Former Executive Director, PRADAN, Mr. Narayan Majumdar, Managing Director, Red Cow Dairy Private Limited, Ms. Sima Das, Procurement Officer, Co-operative Milk & Livestock Producers' Union Limited, Mr. Sandip Kar, Co-Founder, GRINS & Program Lead - Badabon Harvest FPC, Prof. Purnendu Biswas, Former Vice Chancellor, WBUAFS and Mr. Satyabrata Mukherjee, Chairperson, Agriculture & Rural Development Committee, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The Conclave had the participation of 300 farmers, agriculture-entrepreneurs, fishery owners and exporters, cooperative panchayat representatives and all others related to agriculture and rural development. The program was attended by various Government departments, banks and insurance companies.