Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a brainstorming meeting with cooperation ministers of all states and union territories on the progress and future strategy of the ‘cooperative’ system in Gandhinagar on Tuesday. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel was also present. | Photo credit: @amitshah x/ANI Photo
With a view to boost the rural economy through reforms and technology integration and strengthen India’s cooperative structure by doubling farmers’ income, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Monday chaired a high-level ‘brainstorming meeting’ of cooperation ministers of all states and union territories at the Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar.
The day-long meeting focused on modernization of cooperative institutions through greater use of technology, improving transparency in operations and strengthening the governance framework in the states. The Ministers deliberated on creating a more integrated and accountable cooperative ecosystem that can enhance value addition, improve market connectivity and increase income opportunities for farmers.
Key discussions revolved around digital integration of cooperatives, strengthening financial and operational transparency, improving efficiency in procurement, processing and distribution, expanding value-added activities in agriculture and dairy and aligning state cooperatives with national economic priorities. The Center stressed that reforms in the cooperative sector will play an important role in ensuring rural prosperity and sustainable development.
During the inaugural session, Shah laid the foundation stone of cooperative projects worth Rs 265.30 crore in Gujarat. These include a ₹40 crore ethanol distillery plant at Nandod in Narmada district, a ₹135 crore 30 MW power co-generation plant at Nandod, a ₹8 crore organic potash plant at Nandod, a ₹40 crore warehouse at Khatraj in Anand and a ₹35 crore whey protein concentration powder plant at Khatraj.
An exhibition organized along with the meeting showcased about 20 major cooperative organizations including National Dairy Development Board, Bharatiya Kisan Fertilizer Cooperative Limited and Banas Dairy as well as national level bodies like NFDB, NCEL, BBSSL and NCOL.
Published on February 17, 2026
