Centre Focuses on Dairy Expansion, Grain Storage and Rural Self-Reliance

A central focus of the workshop was the ambitious initiative to establish and strengthen two lakh new cooperative societies across the country.

The Ministry of Cooperation has intensified efforts to strengthen India's cooperative ecosystem through modern infrastructure, technology-driven systems and farmer-centric development initiatives as part of the government's broader vision of "Sahkar se Samriddhi" — prosperity through cooperation.

In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for building a prosperous and self-reliant India and under the leadership of Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, the Ministry organised a major regional workshop in Raipur, Chhattisgarh focused on the formation and strengthening of two lakh new Multipurpose Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (M-PACS), Dairy and Fisheries Cooperative Societies, along with implementation of the World's Largest Grain Storage Plan in the cooperative sector.

The workshop brought together senior officials and representatives from Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal, as well as key institutions including NABARD, FCI, NAFED, NCCF, NDDB and warehousing corporations.

Government Positions Cooperatives as Backbone of Rural Economy

Addressing the workshop, Dr. Ashish Kumar Bhutani, Secretary, Ministry of Cooperation, described the cooperative sector as the backbone of India's rural economy and emphasized its growing role in strengthening livelihoods, agricultural sustainability and rural entrepreneurship.

He highlighted the transformative contribution of the dairy cooperative movement in states such as Gujarat, where cooperative structures have significantly improved:

• Women empowerment

• Rural incomes

• Nutrition security

• Financial inclusion

• Community-led development

Dr. Bhutani noted that Eastern and Central Indian states possess enormous untapped potential due to their fertile land, abundant water resources and livestock strength, creating a strong foundation for accelerated dairy sector expansion.

Two Lakh New Cooperative Societies Targeted

A central focus of the workshop was the ambitious initiative to establish and strengthen two lakh new cooperative societies across the country.

The programme includes:

• Multipurpose PACS (M-PACS)

• Dairy Cooperative Societies

• Fisheries Cooperative Societies

The initiative aims to deepen grassroots economic participation while improving access to:

• Agricultural services

• Credit facilities

• Storage infrastructure

• Market linkages

• Technology support

• Value addition opportunities

Officials stressed that stronger cooperative networks can help improve resilience and self-sufficiency in rural economies.

White Revolution 2.0 Reviewed

The Ministry also reviewed progress under the White Revolution 2.0 programme, which aims to significantly strengthen India's dairy cooperative ecosystem over the next five years.

Targets under the programme include:

• Formation of 75,000 new Dairy Cooperative Societies (DCS)

• Strengthening of 46,000 existing dairy societies

The government views dairy cooperatives as an important driver of inclusive rural growth, especially for women and small farmers.

Officials noted that the dairy sector has become one of India's most important rural employment generators and a major contributor to household incomes in many regions.

Women Empowerment Through Dairy Cooperatives

The workshop strongly emphasized the role of dairy cooperatives in advancing women-led rural transformation.

Discussions highlighted how women participating in cooperative societies are increasingly moving from traditional homemaker roles into entrepreneurship and active economic participation.

Through dairy cooperatives, women are gaining access to:

• Organised markets

• Financial services

• Livelihood opportunities

• Decision-making platforms

• Rural enterprise networks

Officials noted that this transition is helping strengthen grassroots cooperative financial systems while improving social and economic inclusion.

"Cooperation Among Cooperatives" Strategy Highlighted

Another major theme during the workshop was the concept of "cooperation among cooperatives."

The Ministry emphasized that stronger collaboration between cooperative institutions can help extend the benefits of the cooperative movement to wider sections of society in a more inclusive and sustainable manner.

This includes improving access to:

• Finance

• Technology

• Storage infrastructure

• Dairy value addition systems

• Agricultural markets

• Export opportunities

Experts believe integrated cooperative ecosystems can significantly strengthen rural economic resilience and reduce dependence on fragmented market structures.

Grain Storage Infrastructure Gets Major Attention

The workshop also focused heavily on implementation of the World's Largest Grain Storage Plan in the cooperative sector.

India has been working to expand decentralized grain storage infrastructure to reduce post-harvest losses, improve food security and strengthen rural supply chains.

Technical sessions discussed:

• Storage target implementation strategies

• PACS onboarding under the WDRA framework

• Warehouse development

• Diversification of cooperative business activities

Officials believe stronger grain storage infrastructure can improve price realization for farmers and reduce agricultural wastage.

Sustainability and Circular Economy Models Prioritised

The Ministry of Cooperation placed strong emphasis on sustainability and circular economy models within the cooperative sector.

Officials stressed that the dairy ecosystem should not remain limited to milk production alone but expand into value-added and renewable energy sectors such as:

• Compressed Bio Gas (CBG)

• Organic fertilizers

• Bio-energy generation

• Whey protein production

• Carbon credits

• GOBARdhan-based initiatives

The government believes these sectors can create additional income streams for farmers and cooperative institutions while strengthening environmental sustainability.

Global Energy Crisis Driving Rural Bio-Energy Focus

The Ministry linked the importance of sustainability initiatives to ongoing global energy imbalances, supply chain disruptions and economic uncertainties.

Officials stated that bio-energy and circular economy initiatives can help India:

• Reduce dependence on imported energy

• Strengthen energy security

• Improve waste utilisation

• Generate rural employment

• Support environmental goals

Programmes involving agricultural and dairy waste utilization are increasingly being viewed as critical components of India's long-term sustainable rural development strategy.

Chhattisgarh Prioritising Dairy and Bio-Gas Development

Dr. C.R. Prasanna, Secretary of the Cooperation Department, Government of Chhattisgarh, highlighted various development initiatives underway in the state.

He said the Chhattisgarh government is giving special priority to:

• Dairy sector development

• Bio-gas projects

• Grain storage infrastructure

• Cooperative expansion

The state government views cooperatives as important vehicles for improving rural incomes and agricultural sustainability.

Technical Sessions Focused on Modern Cooperative Ecosystem

The workshop featured extensive technical discussions on strengthening India's modern cooperative ecosystem.

Key discussion areas included:

• Multipurpose cooperative societies

• Fisheries cooperatives

• Revival of non-functional cooperatives

• Solar rooftop projects

• Fodder and cattle-feed business

• Dairy value addition

• Flavoured milk products

• Sustainability integration

• Mission-mode implementation strategies

Officials also reviewed progress of several national cooperative institutions and initiatives including:

• Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Limited (BBSSL)

• National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL)

• National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL)

• Multi-purpose Village Cooperative Societies

• Aatmanirbharta Abhiyan initiatives

Coordination and Mission-Mode Implementation Emphasised

In the concluding session, participants stressed the importance of:

• Regular progress reviews

• Better institutional coordination

• Removal of entry-level barriers

• Sharing best practices among states

• Mission-mode implementation

Officials said sustained coordination between states, cooperatives and national institutions will be essential for achieving the ambitious targets set under the cooperative sector expansion programme.

Cooperative Sector Seen as Key Pillar of Rural Development

The workshop reflected the government's growing emphasis on the cooperative sector as a strategic instrument for rural transformation, economic inclusion and self-reliance.

Experts say modernizing cooperatives through technology integration, infrastructure development and sustainability initiatives could significantly strengthen India's rural economy over the coming years.

The Ministry of Cooperation believes that expanding cooperative participation in agriculture, dairy, storage, energy and allied sectors will play a crucial role in achieving the broader national vision of Viksit Bharat and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.