In a significant event on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah addressed the National Symposium on the Promotion of Organic Produce. The symposium was organized by the National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) and held at the ICAR Convention Centre in Pusa, New Delhi.
During this one-day symposium, Amit Shah also launched the logo, website, and brochure of NCOL, in addition to distributing membership certificates to NCOL members. The discussions at the symposium centered on the objectives of NCOL and the importance of organic produce.
In his address, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah said, “Bharat Organics is on track to become a leading brand in India's organic product market, a testament to the success of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's sustainable initiatives. A notable achievement in this journey is the re-evaluation of cow dung, known as "gobar," as a valuable resource rather than waste. This shift has not only enhanced environmental sustainability but has also bolstered organic farming and rural economies.”
He added, “Bharat Organics is paving the way for India to make a mark on the global stage in organic production, aligning with the "Make in India" vision and promoting self-reliance with an Aatmanirbhar Bharat.”
Dr. Meenesh Shah, Chairman, National Dairy Development Board and Chairman, NCOL was also present on this occasion and talked about the crucial role of cooperative societies in supporting small and marginal farmers.
NCOL had been established as a national-level multi-state cooperative society in alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of "Sahakar Se Samriddhi." The goal was to position India as a global leader in organic products. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and with the guidance of Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, the Ministry of Cooperation has undertaken 54 initiatives over the past 27 months to strengthen the cooperative movement in the country. The establishment of a national-level cooperative dedicated to promoting organic products marked a significant step towards boosting the rural economy, supporting "Make in India," and paving the way for "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" and "Local to Global."
The objectives of NCOL were to be achieved through various activities, including creating a knowledge repository, conducting research and development, and providing support to the cooperative sector and associated companies involved in organic product production. This support encompassed financing, capacity building, technical guidance, and the establishment and maintenance of market intelligence systems, among other initiatives.
The symposium also featured technical sessions on topics such as the need for organic production, the certification process and criteria for organic products, and the importance of organic certification laboratories. More than 1,000 participants attended the symposium, including NCOL members, officials from the Government of India, various states and union territories, MSCS/FIs/Cooperative Unions/District Cooperative Unions/Organic Certification Bodies and testing laboratories, experts from the organic sector, and other stakeholders from across the country. Additionally, a large number of participants joined the event virtually.
NCOL had been registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002, on January 25, 2023. It was jointly promoted by three major cooperative societies of the country—National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India Ltd (NCCF), Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd (GCMMF), and National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED) as well as two major statutory bodies of the Government of India, the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC).
