Banas Dairy and BBSSL Join Hands to Build ‘Seed-to-Market’ Potato Value Chain
Gandhinagar, November 13, 2025 — In a major step toward revolutionizing India’s potato cultivation ecosystem, Banas Dairy, a key member of the Amul cooperative network and Asia’s largest dairy cooperative, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Limited (BBSSL). The agreement aims to create a comprehensive, “seed-to-market” value chain for potatoes, enhancing productivity, quality, and profitability for farmers.
Building a Strong Potato Ecosystem
The newly forged partnership seeks to strengthen every stage of the potato value chain — from seed production and scientific cultivation to contract farming and market linkages. Through this collaboration, both organizations aim to ensure a consistent supply of certified, disease-free seed potatoes, reducing dependence on imported seeds and improving the overall health of India’s potato crop.
Under the MoU, BBSSL will utilize Banas Dairy’s state-of-the-art tissue culture and aeroponic facilities located in Gujarat to develop high-quality seed varieties. These facilities, known for producing pathogen-free plantlets, will play a crucial role in scaling up sustainable seed multiplication programs.
Meanwhile, Banas Dairy will provide technical expertise and marketing support, leveraging its vast cooperative network and experience in agri-business management. The collaboration is expected to benefit thousands of potato farmers across multiple states, particularly in North and Western India, where potato farming forms a significant part of rural livelihoods.
Promoting Innovation and Farmer Empowerment
Speaking about the agreement, officials from both organizations highlighted the partnership’s potential to bring scientific precision and market assurance to the potato sector. The initiative will encourage contract farming models, ensuring price stability for farmers and promoting the adoption of modern cultivation techniques such as micro-irrigation, soil health monitoring, and sustainable pest management.
By integrating production and marketing processes, the initiative aims to reduce post-harvest losses, improve supply chain efficiency, and enhance farmers’ income.
Strengthening India’s Agri-Cooperative Model
This partnership reflects the growing importance of cooperative-led innovation in India’s agriculture sector. With Banas Dairy’s proven track record in dairy and agri diversification, and BBSSL’s expertise in seed development and cooperative management, the initiative aligns with the government’s broader vision of doubling farmers’ income and promoting self-reliance in agricultural inputs.
Industry experts believe that this collaboration could serve as a national model for crop-specific value chain integration, combining scientific research, cooperative strength, and farmer participation.
As the project takes shape, Banas Dairy and BBSSL are set to redefine how potatoes — one of India’s most consumed and exported crops — are grown, processed, and marketed, marking a new chapter in India’s journey toward agricultural innovation and sustainability.
