Cooperation minister Amit Shah to address symposium on production of improved and traditional seeds through cooperative sector

At the event, the Minister will also unveil the logo, website and brochure and distribute membership certificates to Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Limited (BBSSL) members.

During the symposium, objectives of BBSSL, importance of seed production through Primary Agriculture Credit Societies (PACS) and role of seeds in productivity and nutrition of crops, along with role of cooperative societies in the upliftment of small and marginal farmers, will be discussed, said Ministry of Cooperation in a statement.

Organised by the BBSSL, the symposium will begin with a presentation by officials of the ministry of cooperation on 54 new initiatives taken in the last 27 months to strengthen the cooperative sector. Apart from about 2,000 participants from all over the country, thousands of participants will also participate in this one-day symposium through virtual medium.

Three major cooperative societies of the country - Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Limited (IFFCO), Krishak Bharati Cooperative Limited (KRIBHCO) and National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) and two major statutory bodies of the Government of India - National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) ) and National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) have jointly promoted the BBSSL.

The BBSSL came into existence following the thrust given by Shah for the need to set up a national-level multi-state cooperative society to act as an umbrella organization for advanced and traditional seed research and production along with processing and marketing through the cooperative sector. It will provide assistance to cooperatives across the country in demand-based seed production, development of infrastructure for storage, processing and packaging of seeds, logistics support, quality enhancement and standardization, requisite certification and marketing of the seeds produced.

The BBSSL will also assist the cooperative societies in multiplication and conservation of traditional seeds of various crops and varieties.

As another important step towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of "Sahakar Se Samriddhi", quality seed production and distribution through BBSSL will increase agricultural production in the country, the Ministry said.

"This will create more employment opportunities in the agriculture and cooperative sector, reduce dependence on imported seeds, boost rural economy, promote 'Make in India' and pave the way for 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'," reads the statement. (ANI)