Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah has urged the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) to give greater attention to projects that directly improve the livelihoods of small farmers, livestock rearers, fishermen and other economically weaker sections.
Addressing NCDC’s 93rd General Council meeting in New Delhi, Shah highlighted financial assistance sanctioned for approximately 100 deep-sea fishing trawlers. He said the initiative could substantially increase the monthly incomes of fishing families, improving their children’s education and creating better opportunities for future generations.
Shah observed that projects which may appear relatively small to a large financial institution can bring significant economic and social transformation to the families concerned. He encouraged NCDC to expand such grassroots initiatives alongside financing large cooperative enterprises.
The Minister also called for new business models for cooperative sugar mills based on the circular economy. Common processing and industrial facilities for ethanol, CNG, chemicals and other value-added products could help mills that cannot independently invest in modern plants.
He stressed that the benefits generated through these arrangements must reach the participating cooperative sugar mills.
Shah said cooperation could combine the limited resources of farmers, livestock rearers, rural women and fishermen to create opportunities in production, processing, marketing and income generation. He urged NCDC to translate its financial strength into tangible improvements in rural livelihoods.
