A National Conference on “Building a Viksit Bharat: Transforming Rural Economies through Cooperation, Farmer Empowerment and Growth” is being held today on April 24th and 25th, 2025, at the Regional Institute of Cooperative Management (RICM) in Chandigarh.
This two-day event aims to highlight the transformative potential of cooperatives in reshaping rural India by promoting sustainable development, farmer empowerment, and resilient local economies. By convening a diverse group of academicians, policymakers, cooperative leaders, researchers, practitioners, and industry experts, the conference seeks to foster dialogue on innovative models, successful practices, and collaborative efforts that can drive growth in rural regions.
Among the key dignitaries attending the conference are Union Minister of State for Cooperation, Krishan Pal Gurjar, and Haryana Cooperation Minister, Arvind Kumar Sharma. They will be joined by Ashish K. Bhutani, Secretary, Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India, as well as senior officials from the central government and the states of Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh.
The event will also feature the launch of a new online portal, “Meri Samiti Mera Patal,” which will be unveiled by the ministers on the inaugural day. This platform is expected to serve as a digital interface for cooperative societies and enhance transparency, engagement, and governance in the cooperative sector.
The inspiration for this national gathering stems from the International Cooperative Alliance’s Global Cooperative Conference in 2024 and the upcoming United Nations International Year of Cooperatives in 2025.
By drawing from global experiences and aligning with international cooperative values, the conference aims to strengthen India’s own cooperative movement and expand its reach and impact at the grassroots level.
In support of India’s broader goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047, the discussions at the conference will revolve around the essential role of cooperatives in achieving inclusive rural progress. The thematic focus includes how cooperatives can contribute to sustainable development, enhance the livelihoods of farmers, and establish viable rural enterprises.
Participants will also explore economic strategies tailored to rural India, the importance of policy support, and how the cooperative framework can help meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This comprehensive approach aims to place cooperatives at the heart of India’s rural transformation strategy, reinforcing their relevance in shaping a Viksit Bharat.