BBSSL suggested to focus on traditional seeds

28-Dec-2024 12:39 PM

The Union Cooperative Minister has recommended that the Indian Seed Cooperative Society Ltd. (BBSSL) focus on preserving traditional seeds while expanding its reach.

During a performance review, the Minister set an ambitious target for BBSSL to include 20,000 additional cooperative societies by 2025-26.

The cooperative was also urged to prioritize the conservation of water-saving, traditional seed varieties. BBSSL, which was established in 2024, is already producing foundation and certified seeds across 5,596 hectares in six states,

with plans to produce approximately 1,64,804 quintals of seeds from 49 varieties of eight crops in the current Rabi season. Since its inception, it has sold 41,773 quintals of seeds worth Rs 41.50 crore, including seeds of wheat, groundnut, berseem, and oats.

The Minister also recommended that BBSSL develop a ten-year roadmap and regularly monitor progress towards its goals, with a special focus on increasing seed production.