Cooperative Sector Revival a Golden Opportunity for MP Farmers: Amit Shah

Bhopal: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said the Narendra Modi government has brought transformative reforms to revive India’s ailing cooperative sector, calling the current time a “golden opportunity” for Madhya Pradesh to strengthen cooperatives and empower farmers.

Addressing the State Level Cooperative Conference in Bhopal as the Chief Guest, Shah emphasized that the cooperative movement had long stagnated due to outdated laws and lack of central initiative. However, the creation of the Ministry of Cooperation by PM Modi in 2021 marked a historic turning point.

“Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, the cooperative sector is now moving rapidly toward prosperity. The opposition left the sector in ruins, but this is a golden opportunity to revive and rebuild it in Madhya Pradesh,” Shah asserted.

He announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and the Madhya Pradesh Cooperative Dairy Federation (MPCDF), which aims to increase the participation of cooperative dairy societies in milk production and expand their footprint to every village.

Currently, only 2.5% of Madhya Pradesh’s surplus milk reaches cooperative dairies, and just 17% of villages have a milk collection system. The MoU envisions coverage of 83% of villages, enhancing processing capacity and ensuring higher returns for farmers.

“Cooperatives are no longer limited to short-term credit. Today, PACS are offering over 20 services—ranging from Jan Aushadhi Kendras to gas distribution and common service centers,” he said. “Computerization of PACS across India has brought transparency and accessibility.”

He further highlighted that Madhya Pradesh leads the country in PACS computerization, with services now available in 13 languages. PACS in MP are now connected digitally with District Cooperative Banks and NABARD, and offer government schemes, bill payments, and more—right from the village level.

Amit Shah also pointed to the formation of three national-level multi-state cooperatives under the Modi government—National Cooperative Export Limited (NCEL), National Cooperative Organic Limited (NCOL), and Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Limited (BBSSL)—which provide farmers with access to global markets, fair prices, and direct income transfers.

He urged the Madhya Pradesh Cooperative Dairy Federation to focus on branding, quality control, and timely payments, stating that both the NDDB and National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) are ready to support financially if required.

Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, State Cooperation Minister Vishwas Sarang, and Cooperation Secretary Dr. Ashish Kumar Bhutani were present at the event.

Shah concluded by saying that the collaborative efforts of the Centre and the MP government would ensure prosperity for farmers, transforming cooperative societies into engines of rural growth.