Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for a slew of key initiatives at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi today. The event marked a pivotal moment in the country's cooperative sector, with the Prime Minister emphasizing the transformative potential of cooperative endeavors in agriculture and beyond.
Among the flagship projects unveiled was the pilot project for the 'World's Largest Grain Storage Plan in Cooperative Sector'. This initiative, implemented across 11 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) spanning 11 states, aims to integrate PACS godowns into the food grain supply chain.
By fortifying food security and enhancing economic development, this collaborative effort supported by NABARD and spearheaded by the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) heralds a new era of agricultural infrastructure.
Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for an additional 500 PACS across the nation, earmarked for the construction of godowns and other agricultural infrastructure. This initiative, facilitated by the convergence of existing schemes like the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) and Agriculture Marketing Infrastructure (AMI), seeks to empower PACS to avail subsidies and interest subvention benefits for infrastructure development.
Speaking at the inauguration, Modi underscored the historical significance of cooperatives in India, citing them as the cornerstone of self-reliant communities. He emphasized the spirit of cooperation as a driving force behind India's progress, transcending boundaries and resource limitations to yield exceptional results.
Modi highlighted the government's commitment to rejuvenating the cooperative sector, citing examples such as the establishment of Farmers Producers Organisation (FPOs) and prioritizing women's representation in cooperative policies.
He envisioned a future where cooperatives play a pivotal role in addressing agricultural challenges, from storage infrastructure to energy and fertilizer production.
Pirme minister underscored the role of technology and digitalization in amplifying the impact of cooperatives, citing initiatives such as Jan Aushadhi Kendras and PM Kisan Samruddhi Kendras. He envisioned cooperatives as hubs of innovation and service delivery, creating employment opportunities and enhancing rural income.
Addressing the gathering, Union Ministers Amit Shah, Arjun Munda, and Piyush Goyal reaffirmed the government's commitment to the cooperative sector's growth and prosperity.
The event concluded with the Prime Minister expressing confidence in the collective efforts of the nation towards fostering cooperation and unlocking the full potential of development.
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