Bhartiya Beej Sahkari Samiti Limited (BBSSL) – UPSC Notes
Overview
- Objective:
- Support agricultural practices across multiple states in India, focusing on seed production and distribution.
- Activities include producing, certifying, procuring, processing, branding, and packaging foundation and certified seeds.
- Nodal Agency: Ministry of Cooperation
- Promoted By:
- Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO)
- Krishak Bharati Cooperative Limited (KRIBHCO)
- National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED)
- National Dairy Development Board (NDDB)
- National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC)
- Legislative Basis:
- Set up under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) Act, 2002
Key Functions
- Seed Production and Distribution:
- Undertake the production, procurement, and distribution of quality seeds under a unified brand via a network of cooperatives.
- Quality and Certification:
- Focus on improving crop yields through the production of foundation and certified seeds, with an emphasis on indigenous and natural seeds.
- Seed Replacement and Farmer Involvement:
- Aim to increase the seed replacement rate and variety replacement rate by involving farmers in the production of certified seeds.
- Source of Breeder Seeds:
- Breeder seeds will be sourced from public sector research organizations and international research institutes, including the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).
- Collaboration with Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS):
- The program will be implemented through PACS, enhancing grassroots-level agricultural support.
