Union Minister for Cooperation Amit Shah today said, cooperation is an effective means of connecting small farmers, livestock rearers, rural women, fishermen and economically weaker sections with national development by pooling their collective strength and limited resources.

 

Chairing the 93rd meeting of the General Council of the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) in New Delhi, Mr. Shah said cooperative societies could bring large numbers of people together with modest capital and create new opportunities for production, processing, marketing and income generation.

 

He highlighted the strong performance of Indian cooperatives in international cooperative rankings, describing it as a matter of pride for the country’s cooperative sector.

 

He also stressed the need to develop new business models based on the circular economy for cooperative sugar mills. The Minister said a target had been set to make the Northeast self-reliant in animal husbandry, dairy and fisheries by 2030.

 

Mr. Shah said NCDC had made significant progress in financial performance and achieving its targets. Its achievements included higher profit per employee, increased loan sanctions and disbursements, and the maintenance of zero net non-performing assets.

 

He added that NCDC had expanded its activities to cover production, processing, marketing, rural industries, water conservation, agricultural insurance, cooperative banking and the circular economy.

 

The Minister directed NCDC to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for the next 25 years.

 

He also appreciated its role in developing institutions such as National Cooperative Exports Limited, Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Limited, National Cooperative Organics Limited, Bharat Taxi, Sahakar Sarathi and the National Urban Cooperative Finance and Development Corporation.

 

The General Council meeting reviewed NCDC’s audited annual accounts, annual report and financial performance for the financial year 2025-26