Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah told the Rajya Sabha that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Banas Dairy and BBSSL is in line with the Government’s Sahakar Se Samriddhi vision and is aimed at strengthening cooperative-to-cooperative collaboration while enhancing farmers’ incomes and market access.
In his reply, the Minister said the MoU seeks to establish an integrated “seed-to-market” potato value chain. The initiative focuses on the production of certified and disease-free seed potatoes and promotes scientific cultivation practices, contract farming arrangements and efficient market linkages. Under the agreement, BBSSL will make use of Banas Dairy’s tissue culture and aeroponic facilities, while Banas Dairy will provide technical expertise and marketing support.
Shah informed the House that the MoU includes provisions to ensure equitable supply of certified seed potatoes at competitive prices, along with robust quality control and traceability mechanisms.
Farmers will be connected to markets through Banas Dairy’s processing and marketing network, and buy-back arrangements will be put in place wherever feasible. The initiative also emphasises capacity building through training and extension services.
The Minister stated that the model is currently being implemented as a pilot project. Based on its results, the possibility of replicating it in other major potato-producing states will be examined in consultation with State Governments and cooperative institutions.
He added that long-term sustainability will be ensured through farmer training, post-harvest management systems such as cold storage and grading, and risk-management measures supported by cooperatives.
