Lok Sabha Question No. 2326 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-10
Subject: BBSSL in Odisha
Ministry: COOPERATION
Asked by: Smt. Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COOPERATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2326 TO BE ANSWERED ON  10 th  DECEMBER, 2024

## BBSSL IN ODISHA:

## 2326       SMT. SANGEETA KUMARI SINGH DEO:

Will the Minister of Cooperation ( सहकारिता मंत्री) be pleased to state:

(a)  the aim and objective of the Government behind establishing the Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Limited (BBSSL) with reference to its impact on Odisha;

(b) the details as to how BBSSL will contribute to strengthening the rural economy and promoting self-reliance in seed production in Odisha; and

(c)  the  plans  for  utilizing  BBSSL's  profits  to  benefit  farmers  and  agricultural  development  in Odisha?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF COOPERATION सहकारिता मंत्री (SHRI AMIT SHAH)

(a): Ministry of Cooperation has set up Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Limited (BBSSL) under the  Multi-State  Cooperative  Societies  (MSCS) Act,  2002.  The  BBSSL  is  promoted  by  Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Limited (IFFCO), Krishak Bharati Cooperative Limited (KRIBHCO),  National  Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited (NAFED), National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC). The initial paid up capital of BBSSL is Rs. 250 Cr with contribution of Rs. 50 Cr each by the five promoters and authorized share capital is Rs. 500 Cr. The BBSSL has been set up to undertake production, procurement & distribution of quality seeds under single brand through cooperative network to improve crop yield and develop a system for preservation and promotion of indigenous natural seeds. BBSSL would help in increasing the production of quality seeds in India through cooperatives thereby reducing the dependence on imported seeds, enhancing agriculture production, providing boost to rural economy, promoting 'Make in India' and leading to Atmanirbhar Bharat.

The  society  will  focus  on  production,  testing,  certification,  procurement,  processing, storage,  branding,  labelling  and  packaging  of  all  two  generations  of  seeds  i.e.  foundation  and certified  through  PACS  by  leveraging  various  schemes  and  policies  of  different  ministries  of Government of India. This will also help in achieving the goal of "Sahakar-se-Samriddhi" through the inclusive growth model of cooperatives, where the members would benefit both by realization of better prices through production of quality seeds, higher production of crops by use of High Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds and also by dividend distributed out of the surplus generated by the society.

As  per  information  provided  by  BBSSL,  so  far  14,816  cooperatives  have  been  granted membership of which 190 are from Odisha.

(b): BBSSL endeavours to contribute to strengthening the rural economy and promoting selfreliance in seed production in the Country, including the State of Odisha through following activities:

- Promotion of self-reliance in agricultural production, by making availability of improved seeds by strengthening the seed production infrastructure through the network of cooperative societies and FPOs of the cooperative sector.
- Development of a system for research and promotion on conservation of traditional seeds along with development and propagation of improved varieties.
-  Encouraging  small  and  marginal  farmers  to  engage  in  cultivation  of  quality  seeds  and providing thereby the benefits attached thereto.

(c): The plan for utilizing BBSSL's profits are provided in clause 54 and 55 of its bye laws which provides for distribution of dividends upto 20% to its members. Further, BBSSL provides for the determination of price which envisages to provide final price of products to members by distributing upto 50% of net surplus as per scheme given below:-

- i. lnitial provisional price of the product(s) may be given to member(s) tentatively on the basis of prevailing market price of the product(s);
- ii. Net surplus shall be reckoned as the difference between the selling price and initial provisional price after deduction of all expenses incurred by the society on sale of such product(s);
- iii. The Society will endeavour to give up to 50% of net surplus to its member(s) for their product(s) as may be decided by the Board and the member may pass on such benefits to sourcing farmers;
- iv. The final price of the product(s) payable to the member(s) shall be determined by the  Board  on  the  basis  of  initial  provisional  price  plus  the  part  of  net  surplus proposed to be paid under preceding sub-clause (iii).
- v. Balance surplus after payment of income tax will be retained with the society for disposal as per provisions of clause 55.

******