Resolution of farmers' issues to be addressed through BBSSL, NCOL, and NCEL: Amit Shah

In his address, Shri Amit Shah said that today, as we inaugurate the new offices of three cooperatives, a significant step forward is being taken.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah today inaugurated the new office building of three multi-state cooperative societies – Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Limited (BBSSL), National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL), and National Cooperative Export Limited (NCEL) in New Delhi. On this occasion, Union Minister of State for Cooperation, Shri B.L. Verma and Dr. Ashish Kumar Bhutani, Secretary, Ministry of Cooperation, along with the Chairpersons and Managing Directors of NCEL, NCOL, and BBSSL and several dignitaries were present.

In his address, Shri Amit Shah said that today, as we inaugurate the new offices of three cooperatives, a significant step forward is being taken. He mentioned that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, we are moving ahead with the vision of "Sahakar se Samriddhi". He noted that from the beginning, the Ministry of Cooperation has identified activities aimed at bridging gaps, expanding cooperatives, increasing turnover and profits, and reaching them to farmers. The establishment of these three cooperatives was done with this purpose in mind. Shri Shah said that today, with state-of-the-art technology, the headquarters of these societies are beginning in this office, spanning an area of 31 thousand square feet. He mentioned that we will also experience and acquire all the innovations of the corporate sector in this office. He said that these three societies cater to the diverse needs of farmers.

Union Minister of Cooperation said that in a very short time, we have brought together the country's leading cooperative societies – AMUL, NAFED, NCCF, IFFCO, KRIBHCO, NABARD, and NCDC - as their original promoters to establish these three societies. He said that National Cooperative Export Limited has received applications from approximately 7,000 members, National Cooperative Organics Limited has received 5,000, and Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samiti has received 16,000 applications. Shri Shah added that this shows how extensive the scope of work is and how efficiently we have been able to bring it to grassroots level in such a short time.

 

Shri Amit Shah said that the establishment of these three societies was done with a multifaceted objective, and when they become fully operational, solutions to many problems in our country will emerge. He said that firstly, our land is deteriorating due to the use of chemical fertilizers, and it is imperative to save it and lead the farmers towards organic farming, which is the demand of the time. Shri Shah said that along with the prosperity of farmers, land, water conservation, and flood prevention, it is also essential to increase the production, marketing, and access of organic products for the health protection of 130 crore Indians and people worldwide. He said that the society created for this purpose will undertake the entire chain of organic products, including collection, certification, testing, standardization, procurement, storage, processing, branding, labeling, packaging, and export. It will also serve as a guide for many cooperatives.

Minister of Cooperation said that the cooperative society established for seeds will work on the conservation and enhancement of original seeds. It will work to preserve and enhance the taste, quality, and viability of our natural, sweet, and traditional seeds. He said that through Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), we will also work on providing plots for seed to farmers with small land holdings of around two and a half acres and increase their income. Shri Shah added that the society established for organic products will keep a very small portion of these products for its operation and return the majority portion back to farmers at the level of cooperative dairies, ensuring good prices for these products. Similarly, the society formed for exports will increase our country's share in the global export of agricultural products, and resulting profit will be directly deposited into the bank accounts of farmers.

Union Minister of Cooperation stated that we have set a target to increase the turnover of export cooperative societies to up to one lakh crore rupees annually over the next five years. He mentioned that establishing forward and backward linkages in exports will also address the shortage of pulses through the same means. He said that the production of pulses can only increase when there is an efficient system for its export, and only then will farmers sow pulses. Shri Shah said that we have arranged such a system so that at least 50% of the profit goes directly into the farmer's bank account through PACS.

 

Shri Amit Shah said that today, in many states including Gujarat, millions of farmers have adopted organic farming. He said that in organic farming model, farming on 21 acres of land with an indigenous cow is practiced, where production is not low, and soil fertility increases day by day. Shri Shah added that in the last 3 years, there has been a seven times rise in the number of farmers adopting organic farming, which indicates that this experiment has been successful. He said that the Modi government has undertaken the task of setting up laboratories for soil testing and testing of grain production in organic farming across the country. He said that in the next 5 years, there will not be a single district in the country where there will be no testing of organic land and products. He said that wherever organic produce is more, we will take this process there and work to make it available to farmers and certify its product to reach the market profitably.

Union Minister of Cooperation said that we have set a target of turnover of more than 10,000 crore rupees for Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Limited in 5 years. He said that by 2030, Bharat Organics will hold more than 50% market share in the domestic organic market. Shri Shah said that today, the global organic market is worth about 10 lakh crore rupees, and India's export is 7000 crore rupees, which we want to increase to 70,000 crore rupees. He said that the global agricultural produce market is worth 2,155 billion dollars, and India's share is only 45 billion dollars, and under Prime Minister Modi's leadership, we have decided to leap to 115 billion dollars by 2030. Shri Shah expressed confidence that through these three societies, in the coming days, we will succeed in filling all the gaps in the areas of organic products, seed conservation and enhancement, and exports.

(With Inputs from PIB)