Govt taking effective steps for farmers' prosperity, farm sector modernisation: Amit Shah

Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah praised the government's efforts to modernise agriculture and boost farmers' prosperity through initiatives like PM-KISAN and digital agriculture mission.

The government has been taking effective measures for prosperity of farmers and modernisation of agriculture, Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah has said.

In his written message on the occasion of IFFCO's 55th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Monday, Shah lauded the efforts of Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Ltd (IFFCO) for strengthening the country's cooperative movement and also its key role for the growth of fertiliser as well as the farm sector.

The message was shared by IFFCO on a social media platform.

''Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government of India is continuously taking effective steps towards farmers' prosperity and modernization of the agriculture sector to realize the vision of developed nation by 2047,'' Shah said.

He highlighted the government's schemes like PM-KISAN and digital agriculture mission.

The minister said the introduction of innovative products like nano urea and nano DAP has strengthened India's global standing in the fertiliser sector, besides helping farmers boost production and productivity at a lesser cost.

Meanwhile, in a statement, IFFCO Chairman Dileep Sanghani highlighted the collective strength behind IFFCO's continued success.

He stated that the unwavering support and dedication of cooperatives, farmers, and professional employees have played a pivotal role in making IFFCO one of the world's leading cooperative institutions.

IFFCO said it achieved a profit of Rs 4,585 crore last fiscal . An incentive of Rs 490.65 crore has been announced for IFFCO employees this year.

''A minimum wage of Rs 20,000 has been announced for the lower-level employees for which an additional budget of Rs 140 crore has been announced,'' the statement said.

The AGM witnessed participation of more than 850 cooperative leaders, member societies, farmers' representatives, and stakeholders from across India, underscoring the growing strength and relevance of the cooperative movement in India.

IFFCO Sahakarita Ratna Award for 2024-25 - along with an honorarium of Rs 11 lakh -was conferred upon Shakeela Akhtar.

Commemorating the United Nations' declaration of the year 2025-26 as the 'Year of the Woman Farmer', this honour was bestowed in recognition of her outstanding contributions and exemplary commitment toward empowering and strengthening the women's agriculture and cooperative movement at the grassroots level, particularly in Jammu & Kashmir.

Bhavna Gondaliya was conferred the IFFCO Sahakarita Bandhu Award for 2024-25-along with a cash prize of Rs 11 lakh -in recognition of her outstanding services to the cooperative movement and her exemplary contribution towards the empowerment of women in agriculture.