Calcutta, Nov. 26: Around 2,500 farmers from across Bengal will interact with government officials at a three-day conference on agriculture beginning on Thursday in Calcutta.

At the programme, to be held on the Milan Mela grounds, issues such as storage and credit facilities, advanced technology for greater yields and food processing will be discussed.

Ministers and senior officials of both the Union and Bengal governments, and foreign dignitaries will attend the conference.

“Although there won’t be any special sessions dedicated to any particular crop, (agrarian) problems will be discussed. The issue of policy support to check speculation that leads tocrop crisis will be raised,” said Rajeev Singh, the director-general of the Indian Chamber of Commerce, the joint organiser of Agro Protech along with the central and state governments.

Singh said the farmers would get a chance to share their problems with senior officials of the Bengal government. The farmers’ feedback could be crucial for government officials to formulate policies, he added.

“Issues such as credit facilities for farmers to help them stock their produce till they get a good price in the market will also be discussed,” Singh said.

An 18-member delegation from the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry will attend the conference to explore investment opportunities.

Sources said there were several restrictions on trade between India and Pakistan.

Officials from the Netherlands and South Africa will also attend the programme.

A technical conference will be held with researchers and officials of the government and private companies producing seeds and pesticides.

Modernisation of rice mills will be a focus area at the conference. “Several states do not have adequate rice mills. These states send paddy to mills in other states, losing out on revenue. The Centre wants all states to have their own infrastructure to process and polish rice,” an organiser said.

Dairy, poultry and animal husbandry will also be discussed at the conference.