Agartala: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah launched a series of initiatives to strengthen Tripura's cooperative sector. The event was attended by the Chief Minister of Tripura, Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha, Secretary of the Ministry of Cooperation, Dr. Ashish Kumar Bhutani, and other dignitaries.

In his address, Amit Shah said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, a strong focus is being placed on cooperatives to benefit every farmer and economically weaker section in Tripura. He highlighted the Ministry of Cooperation's objective of achieving 'Sahkar Se Samriddhi' and noted that Prime Minister Modi has elevated India’s economy from 11th to 5th position, with the target of becoming the 3rd largest economy by 2027. Shah added that the aim is not just economic growth but ensuring prosperity, education, and healthcare for every family through cooperative efforts.

Shah emphasised the scale of cooperatives in India, with over 8 lakh cooperatives involving more than 350 million people. He credited cooperatives like Amul, IFFCO, KRIBHCO, and NAFED for connecting people and enabling progress in sectors such as banking, agricultural financing, medical support, and fertiliser distribution.

During the event, Shah announced the launch of Mobile Rural Marts in five districts under the India brand, supported by NABARD. These marts will provide pulses, rice, and wheat flour at affordable prices. He also inaugurated cooperative petrol pumps and a consumer store in the Dhalai district. Fifty primary cooperative societies of Tripura State Cooperative Bank have been equipped with micro ATMs. Additional measures included the launch of the Smart Training Centre of Tripura State Cooperative Union, the distribution of mini seed kits to 500 farmers through NCCF, and the signing of an MoU between National Cooperative Organics Limited and Tripura State Organic Farming Development Agency.

Shah highlighted Tripura's potential in organic farming, with more than 70 per cent of its produce being organic but lacking certification. He urged farmers to collaborate with NCOL to certify their land and products, enabling them to secure at least 30 per cent higher prices within two to three years. He noted the environmental, health, and economic benefits of organic farming, including enriched soil and higher groundwater levels.

The central government has set up three national-level multipurpose cooperative societies to ensure access to quality seeds, market organic products, and connect farmers’ produce to global markets. Shah mentioned that 35 cooperative institutions from Tripura have applied for membership in these societies. He added that Tripura has 3,138 cooperatives across various sectors, including dairy, fisheries, livestock, and consumer cooperatives. He criticised previous governments for mismanaging cooperatives, which led to losses, but noted that since 2018, with the state government’s efforts, these cooperatives have begun to generate profits.

Shah also assured that under the Prime Minister’s food storage scheme, warehouses with a capacity of 2,000 metric tonnes will be built on a cooperative basis in Tripura, ensuring no tehsil is without storage facilities. He praised the state for successfully implementing 41 out of 57 initiatives introduced by the Ministry of Cooperation, describing this as a significant accomplishment.

BI Bureau