Nearly two million people in Himachal Pradesh are associated with cooperative societies, highlighting their extensive reach and impact, media reports say quoting the Chief Minister.
The state has registered over 5,000 cooperatives, including 2,287 Primary Agriculture Credit Societies (PACS) that promote financial inclusion in rural areas, along with six recently formed multipurpose societies.
Cooperatives now operate across multiple sectors, including 76 fisheries, 971 dairy, 441 savings and credit, and 386 primary marketing societies.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the movement fosters rural self-employment, youth opportunities, and contributes to building a self-reliant Himachal.
The government is strengthening cooperatives through reforms, inclusiveness, innovation, and youth participation.
The dairy sector now includes over 35,000 women members, while women’s federations and the ‘Him Ira’ brand empower female entrepreneurship statewide.
