The “Kisan Kumbh 2026,” held at Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, has emerged as a landmark conclave showcasing the transformative potential of the cooperative model in shaping the future of Indian agriculture. Bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, academicians, and women farmers, the two-day event highlighted innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability as key drivers of rural prosperity.
Presiding over the event, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari emphasized that India is entering a new phase of technology-driven organic farming. He underlined the need for adopting modern tools such as Artificial Intelligence, satellite monitoring, and eco-friendly practices to boost productivity while reducing input costs. Stressing better market linkages, he noted that ensuring remunerative returns, especially in the organic segment, would be crucial for farmers’ economic stability.
A key highlight of the conclave was the strong focus on women’s empowerment in agriculture. Speakers pointed out that as global challenges such as climate change, food security, and resource conservation intensify, the role of women farmers is becoming central to building a resilient and self-reliant rural economy.
Addressing the gathering, Dileep Sanghani, Chairman of Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited, reiterated the pivotal role of cooperatives in transforming farmers’ lives. He stated that institutions like IFFCO have enabled improved access to resources, technology, and markets, significantly enhancing incomes and livelihoods. According to him, the cooperative model remains a cornerstone in realising the vision of a self-reliant and prosperous India.
The inaugural session was chaired by Rangan Banerjee, Director of IIT Delhi, and attended by Meenesh C Shah along with several prominent figures from agriculture and allied sectors.
Other distinguished attendees included RSS co-propagation head Narendra Kumar, Dhanuka Group Chairman Dr. R.G. Agrawal, Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Principal Secretary Ravindra, HIL (India) Ltd CMD Kuldeep Singh, IIT Delhi CRDT head Prof. Vivek Kumar, Aarogya Preeth founder Acharya Dr. Ram Gopal Dixit, WCOOPEF representative Jitendra Sharma, NAFED Director Ashok Thakur, M3M Foundation Chairperson Dr. Aishwarya Mahajan, and WCOOPEF founder Binod Anand, among others.
In a significant development, the National Dairy Development Board signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the World Cooperation Economic Forum. The agreement aims to promote farmer-centric initiatives, accelerate adoption of renewable energy solutions such as compressed biogas (CBG), encourage participation in carbon trading, and position India’s cooperative model on the global stage.
More than just a conference, Kisan Kumbh 2026 is being viewed as a transformative platform capable of driving structural reforms in the cooperative ecosystem. By integrating technology, empowering farmers, especially women, and strengthening institutional frameworks, the event has reinforced the idea that cooperatives will play a decisive role in building a sustainable, inclusive, and future-ready agricultural sector in India.
