India introduces voluntary Aadhaar authentication for BBSSL farmer registration

The Ministry of Cooperation has notified the use of voluntary Aadhaar authentication for verifying the identities of farmers during registration and approval on the Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Limited (BBSSL) digital platform. The initiative aims to ensure that only genuine farmers participate in the procurement and distribution of seeds through the portal.

Under the notification, authentication is strictly voluntary. The Ministry must obtain the Aadhaar number holder’s consent and provide information regarding alternative identification methods. Services cannot be denied to individuals who refuse or are unable to undergo Aadhaar authentication. Acceptable alternatives include a Permanent Account Number (PAN) Card or a Voter Identity Card.