Cooperatives are deeply ingrained in the soil and roots of India: Shivraj Singh

Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan addressed a landmark national seminar themed “Prosperity through Cooperatives” in Mumbai today, in celebration of the United Nations' declaration of 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives. The seminar marked a pivotal moment in the evolving dialogue on India’s agricultural future, placing cooperatives at the heart of development strategy.

Cooperatives: India's Cultural and Economic Backbone

Shri Chouhan began his keynote address by emphasizing the deeply rooted tradition of cooperative spirit in Indian society. “Cooperatives are ingrained in the soil and roots of India,” he noted, highlighting the nation’s long-standing commitment to collective welfare. The seminar aimed to showcase the transformative potential of cooperatives in enhancing rural livelihoods, ensuring equitable agricultural growth, and fostering resilience in the farming sector.

Agriculture as the Pillar of the Indian Economy

The Minister underscored that agriculture remains the backbone of India's economy, with approximately 46% of the population dependent on it and an 18% contribution to the national GDP. Notably, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi over the last eleven years, India has witnessed a 44% increase in foodgrain production, a testament to policy shifts, research integration, and robust agricultural planning.

Vision for Farmer Prosperity

Outlining a multi-pronged roadmap for agricultural advancement, Shri Chouhan emphasized:

• Enhancing per-hectare productivity,

• Reducing production costs,

• Ensuring fair pricing for produce,

• Providing timely compensation for crop losses,

• Promoting diversification in cropping patterns,

• Advocating for sustainable agricultural practices.

A key highlight of the minister’s address was the focus on small and marginal farmers, who constitute the majority in India. He affirmed that policies must be tailored to suit their needs, emphasizing integrated farm models and support systems that allow profitability even with limited landholdings.

Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan: From Lab to Land

The Minister detailed the success of the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, a campaign designed to bridge the gap between agricultural research and grassroots application. Over 2,100 teams from the Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) engaged with farmers directly in their fields, sharing scientific methods and gathering critical feedback.

This direct dialogue revealed innovative practices and serious challenges — especially the rampant issue of substandard seeds and pesticides. In response, Shri Chouhan announced that the central government would enact strict legislation to crack down on manufacturers and vendors of inferior agricultural inputs.

Boosting Farmer Income through Market Interventions

A major policy announcement came in the form of a new Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for TOP crops — Tomato, Onion, and Potato. The scheme allows farmers to transport their produce to states offering higher prices, with the central government bearing the transportation costs. The goal is to ensure farmers receive fair compensation while maintaining consumer affordability.

He further elaborated that the government is ramping up procurement of pulses like toor, masoor, and urad, and has already made record purchases of pulses, oilseeds, and soybean. Financial support for storage infrastructure is also in the pipeline, in a bid to stabilize prices and reduce post-harvest losses.

Upcoming Agriculture-Focused Consultations

Looking ahead, Shri Chouhan outlined a series of high-level meetings to drive sectoral transformation:

• June 24: A virtual national-level interaction with ICAR and institutional scientists,

• June 26: Meeting on soybean production in Indore,

• June 27: Cotton production dialogue in Gujarat,

• TBD: Special consultation on sugarcane cultivation in Uttar Pradesh.

Each of these sessions is designed to address regional challenges and tailor policy recommendations accordingly.

Recognition of Cooperative Excellence

The event also served as a platform for recognizing cooperative initiatives. Shri Chouhan handed over equity grant cheques to three NAFED-supported Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), distributed franchise certificates to five FPOs, and released a commemorative book titled “Success Stories of NAFED-supported FPOs.” Winners of a related competition were also felicitated.

A Gathering of Agricultural and Cooperative Leaders

Dignitaries who attended the seminar included Shri Manikrao Kokate (Maharashtra’s Agriculture Minister), Shri Vishal Singh (Chairman, NCCF), Shri Dilip Sanghani (Chairman, IFFCO), Shri Chandra Pal Singh (Chairman, KRIBHCO), Shri Jethabhai Ahir (Director, NAFED), Shri Ajay Patel (Chairman, Gujarat State Cooperative Bank), and Shri Deepak Agarwal (MD, NAFED).

Together, these leaders emphasized the pivotal role of collaboration between government bodies, cooperatives, and scientific institutions to usher in a new era of farmer-led prosperity.