In a significant meeting with the Board of Directors of the National Cooperative Consumers Federation of India Limited (NCCF), Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, outlined an ambitious vision for the organization. Shah’s address emphasized the imperative role of NCCF in realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Sahakar se Samriddhi,’ which underscores the significance of cooperatives in India’s development.
A Vision of Self-Reliance
Amit Shah’s central message was clear: NCCF should strive for self-reliance and aim to achieve a remarkable turnover of Rs 50,000 crore by the year 2027-28. This ambitious goal underscores the organization’s pivotal role in shaping India’s economic landscape and supporting cooperative principles. The roadmap to this self-reliant future involves significant changes in business strategies and approaches.
Shah underscored the importance of fostering strong connections with Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) and other cooperative institutions nationwide. The goal is to bolster the proportion of cooperatives in NCCF’s share of capital significantly. To achieve this, NCCF is encouraged to develop a comprehensive business plan that aligns with the organization’s transformation.
Strengthening the Cooperative Movement
Amit Shah lauded the Ministry of Cooperation’s efforts under Prime Minister Modi’s visionary leadership. In the last 26 months, the ministry has undertaken 52 initiatives aimed at fortifying the cooperative movement across the country and elevating the role of cooperatives in the GDP. These initiatives have laid the groundwork for an era of collaborative and inclusive growth.
Exploring Opportunities in Procurement
The Union Minister of Cooperation also highlighted the potential for NCCF to engage in the procurement of maize from farmers in regions like Gujarat and Bihar, among others, to support ethanol production. Additionally, Shah offered the Ministry of Cooperation assistance in developing a digital platform app through the National Informatics Centre (NIC) for efficient procurement coordination, emphasizing the significance of cooperation between NCCF and NAFED.
Prioritizing MSP for Farmers
Amit Shah emphasized the importance of ensuring that purchases of pulses from farmers are made at the Minimum Support Price (MSP). He encouraged NCCF to explore export opportunities for agricultural products and adopt an assertive approach in extension, marketing, and establishing common collection centers.
A Collaborative Storage Scheme
Shah suggested that NCCF could establish partnerships with PACS for onion and pulse procurement, leveraging the world’s largest storage scheme in the cooperative sector for storage solutions. He further proposed exploring export opportunities for agricultural products and emphasized the potential for purchasing and exporting rice through the National Cooperative Export Limited (NECL).
Commitment to Targets
The Chairman of NCCF, Vishal Singh, pledged to work diligently toward achieving the ambitious targets set by Amit Shah. The meeting was attended by key officials, including Gyanesh Kumar, Secretary, the Ministry of Cooperation, and Anice Joseph Chandra, Managing Director of NCCF.
Amit Shah’s address to NCCF’s Board of Directors reflects a broader commitment to empowering cooperative institutions in India. The ambitious goals set for the organization not only align with Prime Minister Modi’s vision but also underscore the pivotal role that cooperative movements play in the nation’s development and economic growth. NCCF’s journey toward self-reliance and fostering cooperation promises to be a significant catalyst in India’s cooperative landscape.
