Centre Expands Cooperative Reform Push into North-East with Regional Summit in Mizoram

The Ministry emphasized that cooperative development is increasingly moving beyond India’s traditionally strong cooperative regions into remote border areas and rural communities in the North-East.

In a major push to expand India's cooperative movement into the North-East, the Ministry of Cooperation organised the Second Regional Conference on Cooperative Reforms in Aizawl, Mizoram, marking a significant step in the government's broader "Sahkar se Samriddhi" vision championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and led by Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah.

The conference forms part of a nationwide series of regional and national workshops aimed at strengthening grassroots cooperative institutions, accelerating cooperative-led development and deepening economic inclusion through community-based models across India.

Officials described the Aizawl conference as particularly significant because it was the first-ever regional cooperative reform conference held in Mizoram, reflecting the Centre's increasing focus on taking cooperative reforms into geographically remote and strategically important North-Eastern states.

North-East Emerging as Key Frontier for Cooperative Expansion

The Ministry emphasized that cooperative development is increasingly moving beyond India's traditionally strong cooperative regions into remote border areas and rural communities in the North-East.

According to officials, the region holds enormous untapped potential in sectors such as:

• Organic farming

• Horticulture

• Bamboo production

• Fisheries

• Spices

• Forest produce

• Community-led enterprises

The Ministry noted that cooperative-based economic models can play a transformative role in improving rural livelihoods, strengthening local economies and creating sustainable market linkages in the region.

All North-Eastern States Participate in High-Level Discussions

The conference brought together representatives from all North-Eastern states, including:

• Assam

• Arunachal Pradesh

• Mizoram

• Meghalaya

• Manipur

• Nagaland

• Tripura

• Sikkim

Senior officials from the Ministry of Cooperation participated alongside representatives from major national cooperative and development institutions including:

• NABARD

• NCDC

• NAFED

• NCCF

• NDDB

• NFDB

• NEDFi

Participating states presented detailed updates on their cooperative sector initiatives, including efforts to strengthen:

• Dairy cooperatives

• Cooperative banking

• Grain storage infrastructure

• PACS expansion

• Fisheries cooperatives

• Agricultural value chains

States also shared experiences related to exports and market access for organic and indigenous products — sectors increasingly viewed as major economic opportunities for the North-East.

Ministry Calls for Region-Specific Cooperative Models

Addressing the concluding session, Secretary, Ministry of Cooperation, Dr. Ashish Kumar Bhutani stressed that the North-East requires customised and flexible cooperative frameworks rather than a uniform national approach.

"A one-size-fits-all model cannot work effectively in the North-East," Dr. Bhutani said.

He observed that factors such as:

• Geographical remoteness

• Connectivity constraints

• Local socio-economic conditions

• Sparse population density

require adaptive implementation strategies and state-specific solutions to ensure cooperative schemes succeed in the region.

Focus on Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening

The Ministry highlighted the need to strengthen planning, execution and institutional capabilities within state cooperative systems.

Dr. Bhutani assured North-Eastern states that the Centre would provide:

• Financial assistance

• Manpower support

• Technical guidance

• Capacity-building support

particularly for strengthening state cooperative banks and improving implementation under various cooperative schemes.

Officials also revealed that several new schemes and programme upgrades are currently under consideration and expected to receive Union Cabinet approval soon.

Major Push for Cooperative Banking Modernisation

One of the conference's major focus areas was the modernization of urban cooperative banking systems.

Dr. Bhutani stated that the Ministry is working to standardize technology platforms across nearly 1,500 urban cooperative banks nationwide in order to:

• Reduce duplication

• Improve efficiency

• Lower operational costs

• Enhance customer trust

• Modernize banking services

Currently, many cooperative banks procure technology services independently, creating fragmented systems and higher expenses.

The Ministry said financial structuring support for modernization efforts is being facilitated through institutions such as NCDC along with support from state and central agencies.

Grain Storage and Public Distribution Reforms Accelerated

The conference also focused heavily on agricultural infrastructure reforms, particularly under the World's Largest Grain Storage Plan.

The Ministry said it is working with the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and other agencies to:

• Streamline storage systems

• Reduce transportation duplication

• Improve Public Distribution System efficiency

• Lower operational costs

• Strengthen grassroots agricultural infrastructure

Officials noted that cooperative institutions are expected to play a central role in implementing these reforms across states, including the North-East.

'Bharat Organics' and Export Linkages Highlighted

The Ministry also emphasized efforts to improve exports and market access for cooperative products produced by farmers and rural communities.

National-level initiatives are being developed to support:

• Branding

• Packaging

• Certification

• Marketing

• Export facilitation

Officials highlighted the "Bharat Organics" initiative as a major platform aimed at helping farmers and cooperatives access larger domestic and international markets.

The North-East's strong potential in organic agriculture and indigenous products is expected to be a major focus area under these efforts.

NEDFi Study to Drive Cooperative Revival in North-East

A special session during the conference focused specifically on reviving and strengthening cooperative systems across the North-East.

The Ministry announced that a dedicated project has been sanctioned to the North Eastern Development Finance Corporation (NEDFi) to conduct a detailed study on cooperative sector revival in three North-Eastern states.

Based on findings and best practices from the study, a larger cooperative development framework will later be replicated across other states in the region.

Mizoram Assures Full Support for Cooperative Reforms

Mizoram Chief Secretary Shri K.R. Meena welcomed delegates and thanked the Ministry of Cooperation for its continued support toward cooperative development in the state.

He assured that the Government of Mizoram would work actively to ensure effective implementation of cooperative reforms and development initiatives across sectors.

Cooperative Movement Linked to 'Viksit Bharat 2047'

The conference concluded with a collective commitment from the Centre, states and cooperative institutions to strengthen cooperative-led development in the North-East and align these reforms with the broader national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

Officials said the expansion of cooperative institutions into remote and underserved regions could become a major driver of:

• Rural prosperity

• Livelihood generation

• Agricultural modernization

• Community empowerment

• Inclusive economic growth

in the years ahead.