Sri Sri Institute Signs Key MoUs to Boost Indigenous Seeds and Organic Farming
Officials from Sri Sri Institute of Agricultural Sciences & Technology Trust (AOL-SSIAST) and National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) exchanged Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in the presence of Ashish Bhutani, Secretary, Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India.
The Art of Living’s agricultural wing, AOL-SSIAST, signed two major MoUs — one with NCOL and another with Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Limited (BBSSL). These partnerships aim to build strong, end-to-end value chains for indigenous seed preservation and natural produce marketing, helping connect grassroots farmers with national markets.
MoU with BBSSL: Preserving India’s Native Seeds
The agreement with BBSSL focuses on:
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Preserving, multiplying, and promoting indigenous seeds
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Establishing community seed banks and training local seed keepers
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Joint research and farmer training programs
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Hosting seed festivals and awareness drives
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Using blockchain-based traceability to ensure seed authenticity
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Supporting the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF)
These efforts aim to protect biodiversity, strengthen food security, and promote sustainable agriculture.
MoU with NCOL: Scaling Organic Produce
The MoU with NCOL will support:
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Aggregation, certification, and marketing of organic produce grown by AOL-SSIAST-trained farmers
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Procurement and marketing through NCOL’s cooperative network
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Organic certification via PGS and NPOP systems
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Training and mobilisation of organic farmers
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Logistics and post-harvest management
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Strengthening the organic cooperative movement nationwide
With AOL-SSIAST’s reach in climate-sensitive regions and NCOL’s national infrastructure, the collaboration aims to make organic produce more accessible, traceable, and scalable — both within India and globally.
Also Read | Govt began extra steps to check for fraud in organic farming certification
Leaders Speak
Ashish Bhutani, Secretary, Ministry of Cooperation, said:
“These collaborations reflect the power of cooperative models and grassroots innovation. By combining traditional knowledge with modern systems, we are creating a sustainable and inclusive agricultural future for India.”
Prasana Prabhu, Chairman, AOL-SSIAST, added:
“Natural farming begins with natural seeds. Restoring native seed wealth brings health to our soil, strength to our farmers, and hope to our future. Supporting our farmers is not just about agriculture — it’s about nourishing the nation.”
Impact of AOL-SSIAST’s Natural Farming Mission
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Trained over 3 million farmers across 23 Indian states
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Empowered 1.15 lakh farmers in suicide-prone districts
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Built a network of 2,300+ certified trainers
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Converted 56,157 acres into chemical-free, climate-resilient farms
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Planted 100 million trees in 36 countries and 26 Indian states
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Planted 38.7 lakh Lakshmi Taru saplings, known for their medicinal value in cancer research
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Created and distributed 2.5 lakh seed balls for global reforestation
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Recognized by the World Book of Records
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