Chief Minister Mr. Bhupendra Patel has said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, India will present the cooperative sector as a global model of growth and inclusivity. Speaking at a state-level workshop on ‘Sahkar Se Samriddhi,’ the Chief Minister underlined that the cooperative movement is central to rural empowerment and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Cooperative Sector: Driving Inclusive Development
Addressing leaders of District Central Cooperative Banks, Milk Producers’ Unions, Agriculture Banks, GUJCOMASOL, and other institutions, Mr. Bhupendra Patel highlighted that Gujarat, once a leader in the Non-Cooperation Movement, is today leading the cooperative sector with the same spirit. He said the cooperative sector is crucial for enhancing rural income, promoting Vocal for Local, and achieving long-term economic resilience.
National Cooperation Policy 2025
The Chief Minister stated that the recently announced National Cooperation Policy 2025, led by Union Cooperation Minister Mr. Amit Shah, envisions tripling the sector’s GDP contribution by 2034. The policy also targets a 30% increase in cooperative institutions and the establishment of at least one cooperative society in every Gram Panchayat.
He recalled that Gujarat has a deep-rooted legacy of cooperation dating back to Sardar Patel and Tribhuvandas Patel, who pioneered the dairy cooperative model. To advance this vision, the Centre has also announced the establishment of the Tribhuvan Cooperative University to provide skilled manpower for the sector.
Gujarat’s Role in Viksit Bharat
Mr. Patel emphasized that while Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi has given the resolve of Viksit Bharat 2047, Gujarat will mark 75 years of its formation in 2035. Both milestones, he said, are opportunities for Gujarat’s cooperative sector to strengthen Atmanirbharta and build a model of Viksit Gujarat contributing to a Viksit Bharat.
Leaders Highlight Cooperative Achievements
Legislative Assembly Speaker and Banas Dairy Chairman Mr. Shankar Chaudhary said that cooperation has been India’s spirit since Independence. He praised Gujarat’s leadership in introducing innovative cooperative initiatives and recalled Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi’s efforts, during his tenure as Chief Minister, to safeguard the cooperative sector through reforms and regular elections.
Cooperation Minister Mr. Jagdish Vishwakarma noted that under Prime Minister Mr. Modi’s leadership and Mr. Amit Shah’s guidance, the Ministry of Cooperation has launched several impactful reforms, including model bylaws for PACS. He said India now has over 8 lakh cooperative societies with more than 30 crore members, including 1.8 crore in Gujarat.
Cooperative Digitisation and Modernisation
Gujarat has pioneered digitisation in cooperatives. Mr. Ajay Patel, Chairman of Gujarat State Cooperative Bank, said micro-ATM facilities have been installed in most of the state’s 18,000 villages, enabling dairy farmers to access their payments seamlessly. These digital innovations are now studied by other states as part of Gujarat’s model.
Sahkar Se Samriddhi: A People’s Movement
Mr. Bhupendra Patel reminded that the cooperative framework is not just an economic model but also a social movement. Through Sahkar Se Samriddhi, the state and central governments are working to transform local cooperatives into corporate entities that empower farmers and self-help groups, ensuring inclusive growth across sectors like dairy, banking, agriculture, and housing.
The event was attended by several ministers, legislators, and senior cooperative leaders, including IFFCO Chairman Mr. Dileep Sanghani and GCMMF Chairman Mr. Ashok Chaudhary, along with hundreds of office-bearers and members from cooperative institutions across Gujarat.
