Gujarat: In a high-level meeting of cooperation ministers chaired by Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, Gujarat’s flagship schemes were widely praised. The Chief Minister’s Ghasyari Kalyan Yojana, Millets Mission Scheme, and Deendayal Upadhyay Cooperative Farmers Welfare Scheme were lauded as potential models for national adoption. These initiatives aim to boost farmer income, strengthen livestock economies, and promote rural livelihoods, aligning with national priorities to encourage nutrition and agricultural growth.
National-Level Recognition for Gujarat’s Agricultural Schemes
During the brainstorming session, the innovative initiatives from Gujarat’s state government were presented. These included the Deendayal Upadhyay Cooperative Farmers Welfare Scheme, Ghasyari Kalyan Yojana, and Millets Mission Scheme. The aim of these programs is to enhance rural development, empower farmers, and foster social inclusion. According to Dr. Dhans Singh Rawat, Gujarat’s Cooperation Minister, these schemes are focused on increasing farmer income, improving livestock management, boosting millet production, and enhancing nutritional security.
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Key Achievements of the Schemes
- Deendayal Upadhyay Cooperative Farmers Welfare Scheme
This initiative provides interest-free loans through cooperative banks to farmers, cultivators, youth, and women’s self-help groups to make them self-reliant. So far, 11.7 lakh farmers and 6,597 beneficiaries have received loans totaling ₹7,284.76 crore. This scheme has been instrumental in enhancing the financial stability of rural communities. - Ghasyari Kalyan Yojana
Targeting rural women and livestock management, this scheme provides discounted silage to reduce labor burdens and ensure the availability of affordable, high-quality silage for livestock. To date, 28,605 beneficiaries have benefited from the scheme, with ₹1.61 lakh in profits for MPAX, a key partner in this effort. - Millets Mission Scheme
Focused on promoting millet farming, this scheme ensures that farmers receive a minimum support price (MSP) for their crops. From the fiscal year 2023-24 to 2025-26, the scheme has facilitated the purchase of 53,860 quintals of millet from 11,153 farmers, ensuring quick payments and boosting millet production across the state.
A Model for National Adoption: Amit Shah’s Endorsement
Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah praised these schemes, emphasizing that they should be adopted as models at the national level. His endorsement indicates the potential for Gujarat’s cooperative initiatives to be implemented across the country to support rural farmers and agricultural economies.
Request for Licenses to Operate District Cooperative Banks in Uttarakhand
During the meeting, Dr. Rawat also raised the issue of granting licenses for the operation of district cooperative banks in Rudraprayag, Bageshwar, and Champawat districts of Uttarakhand. This would further strengthen the state’s cooperative financial structure and help enhance rural economic development.
Participation of Key Leaders in the High-Level Meeting
The meeting was attended by several prominent political figures, including Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi, Assembly Speaker Shankarbhai Choudhary, Union Minister of State for Cooperation Krishan Pal Gurjar, and Murlidhar Mohol. The meeting also saw the participation of cooperation ministers from all Indian states and union territories.
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