Strengthening India’s Agricultural Future
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, recently chaired a significant review meeting of the Bhartiya Beej Sahkari Samiti Limited (BBSSL) in New Delhi. The meeting brought together key figures, including Union Ministers of State for Cooperation, Shri Krishna Pal and Shri Murlidhar Mohol. Also present were Dr. Ashish Kumar Bhutani, Secretary of the Ministry of Cooperation, and Shri Pankaj Kumar Bansal, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Cooperation. The Chairman and Managing Director of BBSSL also attended the meeting, highlighting the importance of collaboration in the agricultural sector.
Vision for Agricultural Empowerment
During the meeting, Shri Amit Shah emphasized the crucial role of BBSSL in realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s vision of “Sehkar Se Samriddhi,” which translates to prosperity through cooperation. He urged BBSSL to prioritize the collection and preservation of India’s traditional seeds. This focus is vital for empowering farmers and ensuring food security. The Union Minister set an ambitious target for BBSSL to connect with an additional 20,000 cooperatives by the year 2025-26.
Shri Shah also highlighted the need for seed production that requires less water and pesticides. This approach aligns with sustainable farming practices, which are essential in the face of climate change. He stressed that small farmers should achieve the highest possible yields while extending the maturity period of their crops. This dual focus on productivity and sustainability aims to enhance the livelihoods of farmers across the country.
Nutritional Value and Seed Diversity
Shri Amit Shah pointed out that BBSSL is actively working towards the collection and preservation of traditionally nutritious seeds. He called on IFFCO and KRIBHCO to evaluate the nutritional value of both indigenous and hybrid seeds. The goal is to promote and preserve seeds that are currently underutilized while increasing the production of pulses and oilseeds without compromising their nutritional content.
The Union Minister of Cooperation also emphasized the importance of quality in agricultural practices. He urged IFFCO and KRIBHCO to make their laboratories exemplary in the field. Additionally, he encouraged all cooperative institutions to promote the use of certified seeds among farmers. This initiative is crucial for improving crop quality and ensuring better yields.
Future Goals and Production Targets
Shri Amit Shah highlighted that BBSSL has over 20,000 cooperative societies as shareholders, spanning 34 states and union territories. He urged BBSSL to leverage the expertise of scientists and laboratories from government universities focused on seed production and research. To achieve its ambitious goals, he stressed the need for a comprehensive 10-year roadmap, which should be regularly reviewed.
Looking ahead, BBSSL is set to produce foundation and certified seeds over an area of 5,596 hectares across six states during the Rabi 2024 season. The organization anticipates production of 1,64,804 quintals of seeds from 49 varieties of eight crops. Furthermore, BBSSL has set a target of achieving a total turnover of ₹18,000 crore by the year 2032-33. Since its inception, BBSSL has successfully sold and distributed 41,773 quintals of seeds, primarily from four crops: wheat, groundnut, oats, and berseem, with a market value of approximately ₹41.50 crore.
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