Cooperatives will strengthen farmers' capacity in Amrit Kaal: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said cooperatives are destined to play a major role in raising Indian farmers’ capacity in the next 25 years and the cooperative sector will work with the Government in achieving the nation’s goal of a self-reliant and developed India.

He was addressing the 17th Indian Cooperative Congress at Pragati Maidan on the occasion of the International Day of Cooperatives. The Cooperative Congress has the theme of “Amrit Kaal: Prosperity through Cooperation for a Vibrant India.”

The Prime Minister also launched e-portals for cooperative marketing, and for cooperative extension and advisory services. Union Minister for Home Affairs and Cooperation Amit Shah was present. Mr Modi said cooperatives have already done wonders in the fields of dairying and sugar, and now they can take up challenges the country faces in the fields of pulses and edible oils. These are imported every year at a cost of over Rs 2 lakh crore, and the money can go to Indian farmers if cooperatives provide them leadership, he said.