The Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation recently launched Initiatives to strengthen cooperatives sector launched during the National Conference in New Delhi.
Key Initiatives Launched:
- Margdarshika:
- Action plan for establishing and strengthening 2 lakh new Multi-Purpose Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (MPACS), dairy, and fishery cooperatives.
- PACS serve as the grassroots level arms of the short-term cooperative credit structure.
- Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for White Revolution 2.0
- Focused on women’s empowerment through dairy initiatives.
- Expected to increase milk procurement to 1,000 lakh kilograms per day by 2029.
- White Revolution 2.0:
- Aimed at strengthening women’s self-reliance and empowerment.
- Focus on combating malnutrition through increased milk production.
- SOPs for Cooperation among Cooperatives
- Aimed at enhancing financial inclusion.
- Facilitates the opening of cooperative bank accounts for members of cooperative societies.
Significance of the Cooperative Sector
- Removing Inequality: Cooperatives distribute wealth fairly, being people-centered rather than capital-centered.
- Empowerment of Farmers: Cooperatives like NAFED, IFFCO, and AMUL have been crucial in enhancing the socio-economic status of farmers.
- Financial Inclusion: Cooperative banks provide low-interest loans, facilitating easier access to credit.
- Women Empowerment: Initiatives aimed at increasing women’s representation and income through cooperatives.
Historical Context of the White Revolution
Operation Flood (1970-1996):
- Phase I (1970-1980): Linked milksheds to major cities.
- Phase II (1981-1985): Established village cooperatives, increasing milk powder production significantly.
- Phase III (1985-1996): Focused on expanding cooperatives and research in animal health.
Current Status:
- India is the largest milk producer globally, with a production of 230.58 million tonnes as of 2022-23.
- The government aims to ensure that all dairy-related machinery is produced domestically, reducing dependency on imports.
- Dairy cooperatives procured approximately 660 lakh kg of milk per day in 2023-24, with an ambitious target to increase this to 1,007 lakh kg per day by 2028-29.
Objectives of White Revolution 2.0:
- Promote self-reliance among women in rural areas through the dairy sector.
- Aim to boost dairy cooperative milk procurement by 50% over the next five years.
- Enhance milk procurement to 1,000 lakh kilograms per day by 2029.
- Ensure that every panchayat has a PACS, dairy, or fishery cooperative.
- Link PACS to a diverse range of services (e.g., dairy, fisheries, warehouses, and more).
- Provide market access to dairy farmers in underserved areas.
Ref: Source
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Frequently Asked Question:
What is the objective of the Margdarshika initiative?
Margdarshika aims to establish and strengthen 2 lakh new Multi-Purpose Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS), dairy, and fishery cooperatives.
What is White Revolution 2.0?
White Revolution 2.0 focuses on empowering women in the dairy sector and increasing milk production to combat malnutrition and boost self-reliance.
How does the cooperative sector promote financial inclusion?
Cooperative banks offer low-interest loans, facilitating easier access to credit for cooperative society members, enhancing financial inclusion.
What are the key goals of White Revolution 2.0?
The initiative aims to increase milk procurement to 1,000 lakh kilograms per day by 2029 and promote women’s empowerment in rural areas.
What role do PACS play in the cooperative sector?
PACS function as grassroots-level cooperative credit structures, linking various services like dairy, fisheries, and warehouses to local communities.