Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Limited in Odisha

Newdelhi:10/12/24: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 a contribution of Rs. 50 Cr each by the five promoters and the authorized share capital is Rs. 500 Cr. The BBSSL has been set up to undertake the production, procurement & distribution of quality seeds under a single brand through the cooperative network to improve crop yield and develop a system for the 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 the rural economy, promoting “Make in India” and leading to Atmanirbhar Bharat.

The society will focus on production, testing, certification, procurement, processing, storage, branding, labeling, 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 the realization of better prices through production of quality seeds, higher production of crops by the 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.

       BBSSL endeavours to contribute to strengthening the rural economy and promoting self-reliance in seed production in the Country, including the State of Odisha through the 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 of conservation of traditional seeds along with development and propagation of improved varieties.

● Encouraging small and marginal farmers to engage in the cultivation of quality seeds and providing thereby the benefits attached thereto.

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

1. 1. initial provisional price of the product(s) may be given to member(s) tentatively on the basis of prevailing market price of the product(s);
   2. The net surplus shall be reckoned as the difference between the selling price and the initial provisional price after the deduction of all expenses incurred by the society on the sale of such product(s);
   3. The Society will endeavor to give up to 50% of the 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;
   4. The final price of the product(s) payable to the member(s) shall be determined by the Board based on the initial provisional price plus the part of the net surplus proposed to be paid under the preceding sub-clause (iii).
   5. Balance surplus after payment of income tax will be retained with the society for disposal as per provisions of clause 55.

This was stated by the Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.