Uttarakhand has emerged as the largest beneficiary of the Centre’s cooperative development initiatives in hilly states, receiving Rs 287.95 crore in financial assistance from the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) during the last five years, Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah informed the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
In a written reply, Shah said NCDC disbursed Rs 422.95 crore to 12 hilly States and Union Territories between 2021-22 and 2025-26 to promote cooperative agriculture, horticulture and allied activities, with Uttarakhand accounting for the highest share.
The Minister said the Ministry has also expanded NCDC’s presence by opening offices in remote and hilly regions, while strengthening market access through Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Ltd. (BBSSL), National Cooperative Exports Ltd. (NCEL) and National Cooperative Organics Ltd. (NCOL).
BBSSL has supplied 2,488 quintals of certified seeds to farmers in Uttarakhand, while NCOL has procured 417 MT of organic wheat, 40 MT of organic basmati and 30 MT of organic sweeteners from the state. Uttarakhand also leads the hill states in memberships of BBSSL (551), NCEL (487) and NCOL (387), reflecting strong participation in the Centre’s cooperative initiatives.
