Union Home and Cooperative Minister Amit Shah announced that primary cooperative societies will be established in every panchayat across the country to benefit small farmers and boost the rural economy. Speaking at a National Conference in New Delhi on Thursday, he highlighted key decisions made during the government’s first 100 days and cooperative sector initiatives. He revealed plans to create two lakh new multipurpose primary agricultural credit societies (MPACS) at the village and panchayat level to support dairy, fisheries, and other sectors. A guide for White Revolution 2.0 was also released at the event, which was attended by Union Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Panchayati Raj Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh. Three technical sessions were held during the conference.
Shah highlighted that the Ministry of Cooperation has launched 10 significant initiatives in the government’s third term, with three unveiled during the event. He emphasized the long-standing demand for a national-level Ministry of Cooperation to support various cooperative activities and rural development. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for fulfilling this demand and noted his honor in serving as the first Minister of Cooperation.
Shah underscored the power of cooperation in uniting individuals’ strengths for societal benefit, calling for a collective approach to development. He lamented that for 70 years, the cooperative movement had stagnated in many states due to a lack of adaptation. However, he said the Ministry’s new approach aims to revitalize cooperative institutions in every district and village, adapting them to modern needs and creating employment opportunities across the nation.
Expanding PACS and White Revolution 2.0
Under the Ministry’s new initiatives, PACS will diversify beyond short-term agricultural loans to include services like dairy, fisheries, warehouses, fuel stations, and even retail. The goal is to strengthen the three-tier cooperative structure, eventually bolstering district and state cooperative banks.
The release of the White Revolution 2.0 guide marks a significant step towards women’s empowerment through the dairy sector, which Shah described as essential to fighting malnutrition and enhancing rural livelihoods. He highlighted Gujarat’s success, where 36 lakh women are involved in dairy production, generating Rs 60,000 crore in business annually.
Shah also noted that White Revolution 2.0 aims to provide rural employment to women, whose contributions often go unrecognized. The initiative will ensure financial empowerment through increased milk production and improved nutrition, particularly for children.
Cooperation Among Cooperatives and Natural Farming
Shah also introduced the “Cooperation among Cooperatives” initiative, first piloted in Gujarat’s Panchmahal and Banaskantha districts. The program has opened over four lakh cooperative bank accounts and facilitated digital financial inclusion through micro ATMs and credit cards, with plans to scale nationwide.
In line with Prime Minister Modi’s push for natural farming, Shah emphasized that animal husbandry will play a vital role in enhancing soil fertility and supporting sustainable agriculture.
Shah concluded by affirming that the government will provide full budgetary support to these programs, ensuring long-term success. He highlighted India’s leadership in the dairy sector and announced plans for indigenous production of dairy machinery, reducing reliance on imports and boosting self-sufficiency.
The conference marked a new chapter in the cooperative movement, with wide-reaching implications for India’s rural economy, women’s empowerment, and agricultural sustainability.
