The World Cooperation Economic Forum (WCOOPEF), in partnership with I-SEED IRMA (Incubator for Social Enterprises and Entrepreneurs for Development at the Institute of Rural Management Anand) and IIT Hyderabad’s Technology Innovation Hub on Autonomous Navigation (TiHAN), has launched a groundbreaking initiative to transform cooperative-led agriculture using IoT-enabled digital crop surveys and geospatial intelligence.
Aligned with the International Year of Cooperatives, this initiative advances cooperative-driven economic growth, sustainability, and rural empowerment under the vision of ‘Sahkar Se Samridhi’ (Prosperity through Cooperation). It will equip farmer cooperatives, dairy unions, fisheries collectives, and rural self-help groups (SHGs) with advanced digital tools to boost productivity and resilience.
Led by WCOOPEF Chairman Dileep Shanghani, the initiative integrates AI-powered geospatial intelligence, IoT-based real-time data collection, and digital mapping to enable data-driven decision-making in cooperative farming and rural enterprises.
Shanghani emphasized that the cooperative model is India’s agricultural backbone and that integrating geospatial innovation and IoT-enabled digital crop surveys will modernize cooperatives to be data-driven, efficient, and globally competitive.
He stated that the initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Sahkar Se Samridhi’ and Viksit Bharat, ensuring small and marginal farmers benefit from precision agriculture, real-time market access, and financial inclusion.
Binod Anand, Member of the PM’s High-Power Committee on MSP and WCOOPEF’s Founder President, underscored the urgency of digital transformation in cooperatives. He stressed that cooperatives must evolve into technology-driven enterprises to uplift small farmers and rural communities.
He explained that the initiative will establish a Tech-Enabled Cooperative Economic Zone by integrating IoT-enabled digital crop surveys, AI-powered geospatial intelligence, and real-time market linkages to create a more resilient and self-sustaining cooperative ecosystem.
As part of the International Year of Cooperatives, this initiative will introduce tech-enabled services for farmer cooperatives through multi-stakeholder meetings focused on smart resource management, data-driven decision-making, and procurement planning. Skill development and innovation will be central, with the establishment of a Digital Knowledge Platform that integrates geospatial intelligence and AI-driven agricultural advisories for real-time decision-making.
Smart resource management will involve IoT sensors, satellite imagery, and AI analytics for efficient soil, water, and climate data management, optimizing crop planning, irrigation, and supply chain logistics. Additionally, the initiative will focus on expanding market access and financial inclusion, strengthening disaster resilience and climate adaptation strategies, and advancing precision agriculture to support smallholder farmers.
By integrating cutting-edge digital technologies, this initiative positions India’s cooperatives at the forefront of agricultural innovation, bridging the digital divide and fostering sustainable, tech-enabled rural development.
