In the presence of Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah, two landmark agreements were signed to boost the minor forest produce and dairy sectors in Chhattisgarh today.
These agreements mark a significant step towards realizing Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Sahkar Se Samriddhi’ (prosperity through cooperation) and expanding the cooperative sector in Chhattisgarh.
In his address, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah highlighted two significant cooperative initiatives launched in Chhattisgarh. He expressed concern over the rising prevalence of serious diseases caused by toxic elements in food.
Shri Shah emphasized the urgent need for India, with its vast population of 140 crore, to focus on preventive approach of promoting food that prevents diseases rather than merely treating them. He acknowledged the efforts led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to prioritize organic farming across the nation.
Addressing the general skepticism expressed by farmers earlier that organic farming might reduce farmers' income, Shri Shah pointed to Gujarat as a success story. He shared that thousands of farmers in Gujarat have adopted organic farming and significantly increased their income.
He explained that farmers in the state are efficiently cultivating 21 acres of land using a single indigenous cow. By converting cow dung into organic fertilizer through a specialized process, they have achieved yields 1.25 times higher than conventional farming methods, without relying on chemical fertilizers or pesticides.
Shri Amit Shah highlighted a significant challenge in the organic products market, noting the lack of a proper certification system. He explained that many products labelled as organic are available, but the absence of certification has led to a trust deficit.
Farmers, as a result, have struggled to secure fair prices for their genuinely organic produce. To address this issue, Shri Shah mentioned that the Modi government has established a national-level multipurpose cooperative institution, NCOL.
He noted that two prominent cooperative brands, ‘Bharat’ and ‘Amul’, are now reliably supplying certified organic food products, restoring consumer confidence. He expressed optimism that within the next four years, certified organic grains would be widely available across India.
This will be achieved through comprehensive soil testing and verification of organic produce in every district. Shri Shah further shared that the Bharat brand currently offers 16 certified organic products, including rice and turmeric, across the country.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation announced the signing of an agreement between the tribal group's forest produce cooperative institution, Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce (Trading and Development) Cooperative Federation Limited (CGMFPFED), and NCOL.
He explained that this agreement will facilitate the certification of forest produce, ensuring better market prices for these products. Shri Amit Shah expressed confidence that this initiative will significantly enhance the livelihoods of lakhs of tribal farmers in Chhattisgarh, ushering in greater prosperity for their communities.
Shri Amit Shah highlighted the significance of the second agreement signed today between the Chhattisgarh Government, Chhattisgarh State Cooperative Dairy Federation, and the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).
He emphasized the vast potential for dairy cooperatives in Chhattisgarh and stressed the importance of establishing such cooperatives in every village across the state. Shri Shah underscored the transformative impact of linking women from marginalized communities to dairy cooperatives, particularly in areas that have been freed from Naxalism.
He described this initiative as both a necessity and a moral responsibility, as it would empower women and liberate them from exploitation. He added that cooperation is the key to improving the welfare of women in Chhattisgarh.
Shri Shah also pointed out the immense potential for creating a model cooperative system in the state and urged the Chhattisgarh Government to take the lead in establishing it effectively. Union Minister of Cooperation stated that NDDB will extend full support to the Chhattisgarh State Cooperative Dairy Federation to enhance its operations.
He emphasized the need to significantly increase the state’s current milk production target of 5 lakh kilograms per day. To achieve this, Shri Amit Shah called for efforts to boost the population of cows and buffaloes in the region.
He also stressed the importance of expanding cooperative societies by increasing registrations, ensuring that the cooperative movement reaches every village. He envisioned a system where every farmer becomes an active member of a cooperative institution, fostering inclusive growth and development.
Shri Amit Shah stated that the two agreements signed today will play a crucial role in fostering prosperity, peace, and security in Chhattisgarh in the days to come. He expressed confidence that the establishment of dairy cooperatives in every village will rapidly transform the rural landscape.
Shri Shah also assured that the Union Ministry of Cooperation will prioritize Chhattisgarh in extending any necessary support for the expansion of cooperatives across the state. He stated that cooperation is not only driving prosperity in Chhattisgarh but also playing a significant role in overcoming Naxalism.
The MoU between the Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce (Trading and Development) Cooperative Federation Limited (CGMFPFED) and NCOL aims to streamline the collection, processing, and marketing of forest produce gathered by tribal communities in the state.
Organic-certified products from Chhattisgarh, including wild forest honey, tamarind, cashew, chironji, mahua, and coarse grains, will be promoted under the brand ‘Bharat Organics’ in both national and international markets.
This initiative is designed to boost the income of tribal families while empowering self-help groups involved in the collection and processing of forest produce. Additionally, the partnership will encourage sustainable harvesting practices for organic-certified products, ensuring ecological balance alongside economic progress.
The agreement between the Government of Chhattisgarh and NDDB aims to transform the state’s dairy cooperative sector and significantly boost milk production. Under this partnership, the number of dairy cooperative societies will grow from the current 650 to 3,850, with an additional 3,200 multipurpose primary dairy cooperative societies being established.
Milk collection capacity will see a substantial increase from 79,000 kilograms to 5 lakh kilograms per day, while milk processing capacity will triple to 4 lakh litres per day. Additionally, the sale of liquid milk is targeted to grow tenfold, reaching 4 lakh litres per day.
This initiative is a major step toward strengthening the state’s dairy infrastructure and improving the livelihoods of milk-producing farmers. The National Dairy Development Board will provide managerial support for this project without charging any technical service fees for dairy plants; cattle feed plants, or mineral mixture plants.
The project will be funded through various Central Government schemes, loans from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), and contributions from the State Government, ensuring a collaborative approach to strengthening the dairy sector.