The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Banas Dairy and BBSSL aligns with the Government’s Sahakar Se Samriddhi vision by fostering cooperative-to-cooperative collaboration, improving farmer incomes, strengthening market linkages, and advancing modern agricultural practices, including certified seed production. This MoU aims to establish a comprehensive “seed-to-market” potato value chain that facilitates the production of certified, disease-free seed potatoes while promoting scientific cultivation methods, contract farming arrangements and efficient market linkages. Under the MoU, BBSSL will use Banas Dairy’s tissue culture and aeroponic facilities while Banas Dairy will provide technical and market support.

The MoU includes mechanisms to ensure:

• Production and supply of certified and disease-free seed potatoes,
• Equitable supply at competitive prices,
• Quality control and traceability,
• Farmer market linkage through Banas Dairy’s processing and marketing network,
• Buy-back arrangements wherever feasible, and
• Capacity building through training and extension services

The model is presently implemented as a pilot initiative. Based on its outcomes, the feasibility of replication in other major potato-producing states can be explored in consultation with concerned State Governments and cooperative institutions.

The following measures are being undertaken to ensure long-term sustainability of seed-potato supply chain including farmer training, post-harvest handling and risk-management tools:

• Farmer training: training programs on scientific cultivation, sustainable practices and storage;
• Post-harvest management: development of cold storage linkage, grading and handling systems;
• Risk management: provision of certified seeds, promotion of crop diversification, buy-back where feasible, and market linkage through cooperatives.

This information was given by Union Minister for Home and Cooperation Shri Amit Shah in a written reply in Rajya Sabha.

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