On Monday, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah addressed the annual meeting of seven district-level cooperative societies, including the Rajkot District Cooperative Bank Limited, in Gujarat’s Rajkot. He praised the role of cooperatives in strengthening India’s rural economy and highlighted the government’s initiatives to empower farmers.
Shah said that since Independence, the cooperative sector had long demanded a dedicated ministry, which was finally created by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2021. “With just one decision of Modi ji, millions of farmers, livestock farmers and fishermen across the country have gained the opportunity to directly receive the profits of their hard work,” he said.
Praising Rajkot’s cooperative movement as a model for the nation, Shah stressed the need for expanding milk societies, service cooperatives and warehouse-linked cooperatives in every village. He also unveiled statues of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Vitthalbhai Radadiya, recalling their contribution to strengthening the Rajkot District Cooperative Bank. At the event, benefits under the bank’s accident insurance scheme were distributed to 22 people, while nine cooperative societies received motorcycles and compensation under the Krishi Samaj Awards.
Highlighting the achievements of the Rajkot District Cooperative Bank, Shah said it had received NABARD’s Best Performance Award five times and maintained profits for over five decades while keeping non-performing assets under one percent. “The true identity of a cooperative is that its profits should benefit farmers, not capitalists,” he added.
The minister also outlined key national initiatives, including the establishment of Tribhuvan Sahkari University in Anand, the first university dedicated to cooperative education. He said over 60 measures had been launched in the past three years, from computerisation of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies to setting up warehouses, dairy cooperatives and water conservation projects.
On strengthening farmers’ income, Shah announced the launch of new bodies such as Bharat Organic to promote organic produce, along with export and seed cooperatives. Urging farmers to shift from chemical fertilisers to organic farming, he said the government had created systems to ensure higher profits for those adopting organic practices. “Organic farming will improve people’s health and increase India’s share in the global organic market,” he said.
Extending greetings on Navratri, Shah highlighted the government’s decision to reduce GST from 18% to 5% on items used by farmers, food products, the automobile sector, and daily essentials, calling it a festive gift for citizens. The event was also attended by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and other dignitaries.
