Regular Update
ATM News Network: The Union Cabinet has approved setting up of three multi-state cooperative societies to facilitate exports, organic farming and seed distribution. Union Labor Minister Bhupendra Yadav said in a press conference that these institutions will help achieve the goal of 'Sahakar-se-Samrudhi' (prosperity through cooperation) through an inclusive development model of cooperation. He also said that this decision will be important for improving the rural economy.
All the three will be registered under the Multi State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) Act, 2002. They may be members of primary societies, district, state and national level federations, multi-state cooperatives and farmer producer companies (FPOs) including those primary national level cooperatives. As per the bye-laws of all these co-operative societies there will be their elected representatives on the board of the society.
The first of the three Multi-State Co-operative Export Corporations will act as an umbrella organisation for the export of surplus goods and services produced by various Co-operative Societies across the country in collaboration with the concerned Union Ministries. Relying on 'whole of government approach' to export all the goods and services produced by the Co-operative Society and the concerned body their export related policies, schemes and organisation shall be promoted by the concerned Ministries especially the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Higher exports by the proposed society will increase the production of goods and services by the cooperatives at various levels. This will create more employment in the cooperative sector. Additional employment will also be created by increasing services for processing goods as well as meeting international standards. Increased exports of cooperative products will also boost 'Make in India', leading to a self-reliant India, a government statement said.
Another organisation would be a multi-state cooperative organic society. This organisation will manage various activities related to organic sector to provide genuine organic products. It will also work on integration, certification, testing, procurement, storage, processing, branding, labelling, packaging, logistics facilities, marketing of organic products and financial assistance to organic farmers through cooperatives.
Multistate Cooperative Seed Society will be the third organisation. This organisation will act as apex body for production, procurement, processing, branding, labelling packaging, storage, marketing and distribution of quality seeds. The organisation will also undertake strategic research and development as well as develop a system for preservation and conservation of indigenous natural seeds.
Production of quality seeds through this national level seed cooperative will increase agricultural production in the country and create more employment in agriculture and cooperative sector. These institutions will work to reduce dependency on imported seeds, boost rural economy, promote 'Make in India' and fulfill the dream of a self-reliant India,'' the statement said.
