Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah chaired a comprehensive review meeting of the Bhartiya Beej Sahkari Samiti Limited (BBSSL) in New Delhi. The meeting was attended by Union Ministers of State for Cooperation Shri Krishna Pal and Shri Murlidhar Mohol, along with senior officials, including Secretary, Ministry of Cooperation, Dr. Ashish Kumar Bhutani, and BBSSL’s Chairman and Managing Director.
Key Directives and Highlights
- Expansion of Cooperative Network:
Shri Amit Shah set a target for BBSSL to connect with an additional 20,000 cooperatives by 2025-26 to further enhance its outreach and empower farmers. - Focus on Sustainable Seed Production:
- Emphasis was placed on producing seeds requiring less water and pesticides to support sustainable farming practices.
- Efforts were encouraged to maximize small farmers’ yields while extending the maturity period of their crops.
- Preservation of Traditional Seeds:
- Shri Shah underscored the importance of promoting and preserving traditionally nutritious seeds, which are now less commonly used.
- The need to increase the production of pulses and oilseeds without compromising their nutritional value was highlighted.
- Certified Seeds and Farmer Empowerment:
- All cooperative institutions were urged to encourage farmers to adopt certified seeds for farming, ensuring quality and improved yields.
- 10-Year Roadmap for Seed Production:
- The Home Minister called for the creation of a detailed 10-year roadmap to achieve seed production goals, with regular reviews to monitor progress.
- Utilization of Scientific Expertise:
- BBSSL was advised to collaborate with government universities and research laboratories to enhance seed production, research, and promotion.
- Shri Shah also stressed that IFFCO and KRIBHCO should ensure their laboratories set benchmarks in seed evaluation and nutritional research.
BBSSL’s Achievements and Future Goals
- Current Initiatives:
- During Rabi 2024, BBSSL is producing foundation and certified seeds across 5,596 hectares in six states, expecting a yield of 1,64,804 quintals from 49 varieties of eight crops.
- Since its inception, BBSSL has distributed 41,773 quintals of seeds from crops such as wheat, groundnut, oats, and berseem, generating a market value of ₹41.50 crore.
- Future Ambitions:
- BBSSL aims to achieve a total turnover of ₹18,000 crore by 2032-33, significantly contributing to the cooperative movement and agricultural growth.
Empowering Farmers Through Cooperation
Shri Amit Shah reiterated BBSSL’s role in realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Sehkar Se Samriddhi” (Prosperity through Cooperation). The Union Home Minister expressed confidence in BBSSL’s efforts to advance sustainable agriculture, empower small farmers, and preserve India’s rich agricultural heritage through innovation and collaboration.
