The Ministry of Cooperation, with Union Cabinet approval, has established three new national-level cooperative societies under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) Act, 2002. These societies aim to enhance agricultural productivity, promote organic farming, and strengthen seed production in India.
- National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL): Promoted by Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Limited (IFFCO), Krishak Bharati Cooperative Limited (KRIBHCO), National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited (NAFED), Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Limited (GCMMF), and National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), NCEL focuses on exporting surplus goods and services of cooperatives.
- Key Achievements:
- Exported over 10.42 lakh metric tonnes of 36 agricultural commodities worth Rs. 4,121 crore in FY 2024-25.
- Earned a net profit of Rs. 26.40 crore, distributing 20% dividends to member cooperatives for FY 2023-24.
- Engaged with States/UTs to identify globally competitive agricultural products for export.
- National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL): Promoted by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), GCMMF, NAFED, National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India Limited (NCCF), and NCDC, NCOL supports the aggregation, certification, and marketing of organic products.
- Key Initiatives:
- Launched the ‘Bharat Organics’ brand in Delhi NCR, introducing 20 organic products in Safal outlets.
- Signed MoUs with Uttarakhand Organic Commodity Board and procured 40 MT of premium organic Basmati Paddy.
- Initiated procurement of organic-certified Tur from Vidarbha, Maharashtra, offering premium prices.
- Collaborated with APEDA to include cooperatives in the National Program for Organic Production (NPOP).
- Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Limited (BBSSL): Promoted by IFFCO, KRIBHCO, NAFED, NDDB, and NCDC, BBSSL focuses on producing and distributing quality seeds to improve crop yields and preserve indigenous seeds.
- Key Achievements:
- Established retail outlets for ‘Bharat Beej’ seeds.
- Produced over 11,575 quintals of foundation seeds during Rabi 2023-24 and 3,820 quintals during Kharif 2024.
- Sown 49 varieties of 8 crops over 5,596 hectares across 6 states, targeting 1.64 lakh quintals of seeds.
- Secured licenses in 11 States/UTs.
Strengthening the Cooperative Movement:
The Government’s plan, approved on February 15, 2023, aims to deepen the cooperative movement nationwide by establishing new multipurpose Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), dairy, and fishery cooperatives in every Panchayat/village within five years. This initiative leverages existing government schemes such as the Dairy Infrastructure Development Fund (DIDF), National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD), and PM Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), with support from NABARD, NDDB, NFDB, and State Governments.
To ensure effective implementation, a Standard Operating Procedure (Margdarshika) was launched on September 19, 2024, setting targets and timelines for stakeholders. Joint Working Committees (JWCs) have been formed at the district level to oversee grassroots execution. Since the initiative’s inception, 3,654 new PACS, 8,256 dairy cooperatives, and 990 fishery cooperatives have been registered.
Computerization of PACS:
The Government has allocated Rs. 2,516 crore for computerizing functional PACS, integrating them into a common ERP-based national software system linked with NABARD through State Cooperative Banks (StCBs) and District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs). This initiative aims to enhance efficiency, transparency, and governance within PACS, facilitating faster loan disbursements and seamless accounting.
As of now, 50,455 PACS have been onboarded onto the ERP software, with hardware procured across 30 States/UTs. Key states include Maharashtra (10,979 PACS onboarded), Gujarat (5,249), Tamil Nadu (4,529), and Bihar (4,440).
Source – PIB
