IFFCO Chairman Dileep Sanghani is currently attending the two-day Global Innovation Cooperative Summit (GICS), being organized in Paris (France) by Credit Agricole National Federation. The international gathering which is scheduled for 26-27 Sept, aims to provide cooperatives and mutual a platform to share, exchange and build together a more inclusive plural economy.
In his opening remark, which was in the format of an interview Dileep Sanghani said “We are living in an era where technology plays a very vital role. Cooperatives can use new technologies & innovative gadgets such as smart phones, drones, mobile apps, internet, and Business intelligence in its operations for growth & development. Today, Nanotechnology is an inescapable part of modern everyday life from clothing, furniture to electronic gadgets etc.”
Introducing Nano technology at this stage of his conversation, Sanghani added “I am happy to share that recently, IFFCO has launched its innovative product Nano Urea which will help in reduction in the requirement of conventional chemical fertilizer by 50 per cent, raise crop production by about 8 per cent, improves soil health and solve the problem of climate change by cutting the green-house gases emission.
In another question on the role of cooperatives in environment protection and climate change, Sanghani said “As Cooperative businesses are driven by values, cooperatives are acting as a vehicle for generating awareness about the importance of reducing carbon footprints significantly.
Today, we can see that the Cooperatives in the agricultural sector, agroforestry, renewable energy, and waste management etc. They are actively working, encouraging and engaging its members & staff to adopt green transition areas and circular economy initiatives, Sanghani underlined.
In this context, cooperatives are also collaborating with Agriculture universities & research institutions to develop climate friendly crops and plant varieties, he added.
Sanghani also touched on the challenge of the food crisis and how the cooperatives can ensure food security
According to the cooperative principle of “Concern for Community”, the cooperative is committed to health, safety, environment and forestry development to enrich the quality of community life, so, I believe that together we can build food systems that can feed everyone, everywhere, every day, he concluded.
Besides Sanghani, renowned speakers are discussing topics related to technological and social innovation and the need to face these transitions to develop an inclusive, responsible economy.
While IFFDC Director Aditya Yadav, Antesh Kumar from IFFCO accompanied Sanghani to the Summit, Santosh Shukla was connected digitally. More than 250 participants from across the world are attending the event.