IFFCO Foundation along with IFFCO Tamil Nadu conducted a two day workshop on “Strengthening Cooperatives in Tamil Nadu” to RGB delegates during 3rd and 4th August 2015.
P.Mathiyalagan, State Marketing Manager of IFFCO in Chennai expressed satisfaction on the successful conduct of the workshop. The ideas expressed by notable speakers on the occasion were of great use for practicing cooperators, he added.
The workshop was inaugurated by Smt. Santha Sheela Nair, IAS (Retd.) Vice Chairperson, State Planning Commission, Tamilnadu. Shri. J N L Srivastava, IAS (Retd.), Managing Trustee, IFFCO Foundation in his welcome address emphasized on the history of Cooperative Development in Tamil Nadu and the innovative activities and diversification of the cooperatives.
Santha Sheela Nair, IAS (Retd.) Vice Chairperson, State Planning Commission, Tamil Nadu, in her Presidential address informed that the history of cooperatives in Tamil Nadu is 110 years old. She expressed her concern about the reduction in the number of active cooperative societies in the state over the years. She dwelt upon the importance of Adoption of Villages, Introduction of micro irrigation to promote WSF and improve the cultivation of minor millets in the state.
Jayashree Muralidharan , IAS, Registrar of Cooperation, Tamil Nadu, in her keynote address briefed about the development of Cooperative Network and the activities undertaken to strengthen the cooperatives in Tamil Nadu. She also mentioned about the major activities like computerization and modernization of societies and goodowns at village level. She stated that the rural societies are the backbone of the cooperative network, as the villagers are looking forward to the societies for their needs.
Padmasri Dr Jaya Arunchalam, President Working Women’s Forum (INDIA) in her felicitation address, briefed about the role of women in cooperatives. She said the concept of cooperative starts from the women in her home itself. She advised the cooperators to train, give opportunities and to involve women in the cooperative network. She also briefed about the Working Woman’s Forum in India.
A Praveen Reddy, Director IFFCO informed about the various activities of IFFCO and how it has emerged as the world’s largest cooperative fertilizer organization. He also informed IFFCO is the only organization that provides the 20% dividend to its member societies.
