Union Government Launches Bharatiya Beej Sahkari Samiti Limited (BBSSL)

• Recently, the Union Home and Cooperation Minister addressed the “National Symposium on Production of Improved and Traditional Seed through Cooperative Sector”.
• It was organized by Bharatiya Beej Sahkari Samiti Limited (BBSSL).
• He unveiled BBSSL's Logo, Website, and Brochure and emphasised the significance of the cooperative movement in the agricultural sector.

Key Highlights

1. Promoting Self-Reliance

• BBSSL will help India become self-reliant in seed conservation, promotion, and research

2. Traditional Seed Preservation

• There is a need to conserve traditional Indian seeds to maintain the quality and nutritional value of crops.
• BBSSL is expected to play a role in this preservation effort.

3. Research and Development

• BBSSL will engage in research and development to increase seed production, focusing on methods developed by Indian agricultural scientists.
• It aims to expand India's share in the global seed market.

4. Cooperative Approach

• The cooperative society will link with Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) to enable farmers to produce certified seeds.
• The profits from this initiative will directly benefit seed-producing farmers.

5. Global Seed Market

• India's current share in the global seed market is less than one percent, and there is a goal to increase it significantly.
• The government established BBSSL with the aim of achieving this objective.

6. Collaboration

• Key organisations are integral to BBSSL's core, collaborating to support the farmers' seed production.
• These organisations include IFFCO, KRIBHCO, NAFED, NDDB and NCDC

7. Multiple Cooperative Institutions

• Various cooperative institutions, including multi-state, state-level, district-level, and PACS, will join this cooperative network.
• The goal is to ensure the entire process from production to marketing is efficient and scientifically managed.

8. Conservation of Traditional Seeds by collecting and scientifically analyzing data and creating a database of their positive aspects.
9. Monopoly on Millets

• Attention is given to promoting millets in the global market, such as Ragi, Bajra, and Jowar, where India can potentially have a monopoly.

Prelims Takeaway

• Primary Agricultural Credit Society
• Bharatiya Beej Sahkari Samiti Limited