In a landmark celebration of the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) 2025, Odisha marked its state-level event at Raj Bhavan’s New Abhishek Hall on Friday, bringing together key stakeholders from across the cooperative ecosystem.
Presided over by Governor of Odisha, Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati, the event underscored the growing relevance of cooperatives in shaping India’s inclusive and sustainable development journey.
One of the pivotal highlights was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between MARKFED Odisha (Odisha State Marketing Federation) and three newly established national-level cooperative organisations under the Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India—the National Cooperative Organics Ltd (NCOL), National Cooperative Exports Ltd (NCEL), and the Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Ltd (BBSSL).
This strategic partnership is set to empower Odisha’s cooperative producers with access to national and international markets, bolster organic and sustainable agriculture, and secure better incomes for farmers and rural producers.
In his address, Governor Kambhampati emphasised that cooperatives are crucial agents of economic and social transformation, particularly in states like Odisha. He lauded the UN General Assembly’s declaration of 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives with the theme “Cooperatives Build a Better World,” highlighting the global acknowledgement of the sector’s role in sustainable development.
Governor called for enhanced capacity building, gender inclusion, transparency, and technology-driven governance in cooperatives, aligning with the national mission of “Sahakar Se Samriddhi.”
He congratulated the 30 PACS/LAMPS that received membership certificates and commended the symbolic application submissions by another 30 cooperatives. He also acknowledged Odisha’s flagship cooperative brands such as Boyanika, Utkalika, TDCC, Amlana, and OMFED for their role in cultural preservation and economic empowerment.
Cooperation Minister Pradeep Bal Samanta reiterated the state’s commitment to strengthening the rural economy through reforms in PACS and LAMPS, highlighting departmental efforts to improve governance, transparency, and operational capacity.
Dr. Mukesh Kumar, Director at the Union Ministry of Cooperation, reaffirmed the Centre’s support in transforming grassroots cooperatives into engines of local and national progress. Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Cooperation Department, delivered the welcome address and emphasized the significance of Odisha’s initiatives in the broader cooperative movement.
The event also featured an interactive session with MDs of national cooperatives, an exhibition of Odisha’s cooperative achievements, and felicitations of high-performing cooperatives in sectors such as dairy, handlooms, and tribal development.
Senior officials, including NBS Rajput, Principal Secretary to the Governor, and other dignitaries were also present, making it a collaborative and visionary step toward building a cooperative-led development model for the future.
