The Gujarat State Co-operative Union organised a cooperative seminar titled “Village Grain to Global Market” at Nari in Bhavnagar as the valedictory programme of Cooperative Week, celebrated from June 29 to July 6 to mark five years of the Ministry of Cooperation.
The seminar, organised as an awareness programme on the National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL), brought together around 250 delegates representing cooperative societies from across the region to discuss the growing role of cooperatives in strengthening farmers’ incomes and expanding India’s agricultural exports.
Addressing the seminar, Gujarat State Co-operative Union Chairman Ghanshyambhai Amin said the Ministry of Cooperation, established under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and guided by Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, has ushered in a new era for the cooperative movement.
He said the Ministry has addressed long-standing gaps in the cooperative sector by introducing reforms and creating national-level cooperative institutions dedicated to exports, quality seeds and organic farming, thereby strengthening farmers and rural economies.
Highlighting the achievements of NCEL, Amin said the organisation was established to ensure that farmers receive remunerative prices for their produce by connecting village-level agricultural products with international markets. He noted that more than 13,000 cooperative societies across the country have already become members of NCEL.
In its very first year of operations, the organisation earned a profit and distributed a 20 per cent dividend to its shareholders. During 2025-26, NCEL achieved a turnover of more than Rs 5,500 crore and exported 36 categories of agricultural products, including grains, fruits, vegetables and millets, to 28 countries.
Amin urged farmers and cooperative societies in Gujarat to associate themselves with NCEL and take advantage of export opportunities. He said that by maintaining quality standards, adopting scientific cultivation practices and ensuring proper packaging, farmers could secure better prices in global markets and significantly enhance their incomes.
He also highlighted the establishment of Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Limited (BBSSL) to provide high-quality seeds to farmers and National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) to promote organic farming and marketing. These institutions, he said, are helping improve productivity, encourage sustainable agriculture and create additional income opportunities for farmers through the cooperative model.
Former Gujarat Cooperation Minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama, who inaugurated the seminar, said the creation of a separate Ministry of Cooperation has provided fresh momentum to the cooperative movement after decades. Describing agriculture and cooperation as two sides of the same coin, he said NCEL has created a robust export infrastructure that will enable farmers to access global markets and receive better returns for their produce. He urged farmers to make full use of the various schemes introduced by the Central and state governments for their welfare and economic advancement.
Chudasama also praised the Gujarat State Co-operative Union for establishing the Vaikunthbhai Mehta Cooperative Training and Management Centre in Bhavnagar, calling it a fitting tribute to one of India’s foremost cooperative visionaries. He encouraged participants to share the knowledge gained during the seminar with grassroots farmers and cooperative members.
Bhavnagar District Cooperative Bank Chairman Rasikbhai Bhingradiya called upon cooperative leaders to adopt a progressive mindset and utilise government initiatives to expand the activities of their societies.
Technical sessions by experts from the Gujarat State Co-operative Union covered NCEL’s operations, cooperative management and value addition in agriculture, reinforcing the message that stronger cooperatives and greater farmer participation are essential for achieving the vision of “Sahkar Se Samriddhi.”
