At the National Conclave on Implementation Pathways for the National Cooperative Policy and the Way Forward held on Monday, Dr. Pramod Kumar Meherda, Additional Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, laid out a forward-looking vision for the cooperative sector centred on the “Cooperative Stack” and data-driven decision-making.
Speaking on “Cooperative Stack and Data-Driven Decision Making in the Cooperative Sector,” Dr. Meherda explained that a layered digital architecture, spanning identity, data, services, governance, analytics, and innovation, can transform cooperatives into more efficient, transparent, and scalable institutions.
He highlighted that the Cooperative Stack would serve as a digital backbone, enabling seamless verification, real-time data exchange, and improved access to credit and markets for members.
Citing practical use cases, he noted that integration with platforms such as AgriStack could significantly boost credit access through automated underwriting and risk scoring, potentially reducing loan processing timelines from weeks to just a few days.
He also underlined the role of digital governance tools, including e-voting, audit trails, and automated compliance systems, in strengthening transparency and democratic functioning within cooperatives.
Dr. Meherda emphasized the need for consent-based data sharing, portability of member records, and federated data frameworks to balance privacy with efficiency. He added that such systems could reduce paperwork, curb leakages in subsidy delivery, and open up new opportunities for startups, fintechs, and rural enterprises.
Summing up, he said the Cooperative Stack has the potential to generate measurable value for all stakeholders, from governments and financial institutions to primary cooperatives and individual members, by enhancing transparency, lowering costs, and enabling innovation across the ecosystem.