India’s cooperative ecosystem, one of the world’s largest, has seen significant growth under the Ministry of Cooperation in the past five years. The ministry has focused on making cooperatives key drivers of inclusive growth, leading to improved service delivery, digital adoption, and stronger institutions. This transformation has particularly benefited rural economies, empowering women and farmers through cooperative-led development.
On the occasion of the Ministry of Cooperation’s 5th Foundation Day on July 6, several key initiatives were highlighted. Notably, 50,000 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) have been converted into e-PACS, marking a shift towards digitalization. The event also marked the commencement of the construction of 47 grain storage godowns to bolster cooperative storage infrastructure.
Furthermore, the launch of a Milk Supply Review Dashboard Portal by the National Dairy Development Board aims to enhance milk procurement and distribution management. The National Urban Cooperative Finance and Development Corporation (NUCFDC) introduced two flagship projects – Sahakar CBS, a Core Banking Solution for Urban Cooperative Banks, and Sahakar Sahyogi, an AI-powered platform enhancing customer services and banking operations.
Technology has been pivotal in strengthening cooperative governance and efficiency, with a significant increase in financial outlay for digitalizing PACS. The ‘White Revolution 2.0’ initiative is focusing on boosting milk procurement by 50% by 2028-29, with over 25,000 dairy cooperative societies already registered. The National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) has been instrumental in financing cooperative growth, sanctioning substantial amounts and supporting the formation of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and Cluster-Based Business Organizations (CBBOs).
The Bharat Taxi initiative by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited has gained traction, with a large number of registered drivers and customers. Operating in various cities, Bharat Taxi plans to expand its services to more locations in the coming months, aiming to provide efficient and cooperative-based transportation solutions.
“As India progresses towards inclusive and sustainable development, cooperatives will play a crucial role in promoting equitable growth and resilience,” emphasized an official statement.
