The 7th National Review Conference held in Varanasi has set the tone for the next phase of cooperative sector reforms, with a sharp focus on execution, diversification and technology-led expansion across banking, dairy and emerging cooperative models. Organised by the Ministry of Cooperation on April 9–10, 2026, the conference brought together policymakers, state representatives and cooperative leaders to accelerate implementation of key initiatives on the ground.
Addressing the concluding session, Cooperation Secretary Ashish Kumar Bhutani emphasised that the sector must move beyond policy formulation to time-bound execution. He called on states to improve fund utilisation, ensure faster decision-making and strengthen coordination among institutions to deliver tangible outcomes, particularly in areas where progress has been uneven.
A major thrust of the deliberations was on the diversification and modernisation of cooperative banking. Discussions highlighted the need for District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs), State Cooperative Banks (StCBs) and Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs) to expand their business portfolios, adopt secure digital platforms and strengthen cyber security frameworks.
Enhancing credit delivery through Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) and balancing short-term and long-term lending were identified as critical to making cooperative banks more competitive and responsive to evolving financial needs.
Parallelly, the conference underscored the importance of PACS computerisation and their transformation into multi-service centres at the village level. Bhutani stressed timely completion of ongoing phases and continuous capacity building to ensure sustainability beyond specific schemes. He also highlighted the need for accountability and performance-based evaluation of implementation partners to maintain quality outcomes.
In the context of agricultural transformation, the concept of White Revolution 2.0 received significant attention. Participants emphasised strengthening dairy cooperative structures, expanding milk procurement systems and building integrated value chains to enhance farmer incomes.
The idea of “cooperation among cooperatives” emerged as a key strategy, promoting closer integration between PACS, dairy cooperatives, federations and cooperative banks to improve economic viability and rural livelihoods.
The conference also showcased the growing role of financing institutions like the National Cooperative Development Corporation, which outlined expanded support for Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), fisheries, food processing and emerging sectors such as deep-sea fishing. The emphasis was on scaling up cooperative enterprises through timely and flexible credit to generate sustainable livelihood opportunities.
A notable highlight was the progress of ‘Bharat Taxi,’ a cooperative-driven digital mobility platform. Despite stiff competition from private aggregators, the initiative is steadily expanding, with soft launches already underway in cities like Lucknow, Mumbai and Nashik. A nationwide rollout is planned in the coming years, reflecting increasing acceptance of cooperative-led digital solutions.
The conference also featured sessions on best practices from states, including innovative district-level models under the “Sahkar se Samriddhi” framework. These examples demonstrated how administrative convergence, local leadership and institutional coordination can drive scalable and impactful cooperative initiatives. The ‘Sahakar Samvad’ platform enabled direct interaction among cooperatives, FPOs and financial institutions, facilitating exchange of field-level experiences and practical solutions.
Technology adoption and communication strategy emerged as cross-cutting themes. Delegates stressed the need to leverage digital tools, data systems and outreach platforms to improve efficiency, transparency and public trust. A “perform and inform” approach was advocated to amplify positive narratives around cooperatives and strengthen stakeholder engagement.
The conference concluded with a shared commitment among the Centre, states and cooperative institutions to align resources, institutions and execution mechanisms at the grassroots level. The emphasis on diversification, technology integration and inter-cooperative collaboration signals a decisive shift towards building a resilient, inclusive and future-ready cooperative ecosystem that can drive rural economic growth and national development.
