NEW DELHI: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah addressed the 92nd General Council Meeting of the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) in New Delhi on Wednesday, underscoring the cooperative sector’s rapid growth under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. He highlighted that NCDC has become a key instrument in empowering cooperative societies and providing financial assistance across various sectors.
Shri Shah detailed the impressive financial strides made by NCDC, noting that its total disbursement has grown from ₹24,700 crore in 2020-21 to ₹95,200 crore in 2024-25. Over the last four years, NCDC has achieved a compound annual growth rate of over 40%, maintained zero net NPAs, and posted a record net profit of ₹807 crore. These efforts, he said, have strengthened the credibility of the cooperative movement, which is now seen as an essential model for rural development. The Minister emphasized the importance of a circular economy in sectors like dairy and sugar, which will increase profitability for farmers and cooperatives. He mentioned that ₹10,005 crore has been disbursed to 56 cooperative sugar mills to modernize and set up ethanol plants, helping mills diversify income sources.
Shri Shah also praised NCDC’s role in supporting the fisheries sector, noting that the institution has helped form and strengthen over 1,000 FFPOs (Farmer-Fishermen Producer Organizations), with 2,348 more in progress under government schemes. These efforts have especially benefited women, with financial support for deep-sea fishing trawlers in Maharashtra and Gujarat. Additionally, NCDC has been instrumental in launching the cooperative-based "Bharat Taxi" ride-hailing service, benefiting taxi drivers across India. Shri Shah further announced a ₹20,000 crore allocation for long-term loans to cooperatives in dairy, livestock, fisheries, and women’s sectors, to promote sustainable development.
The event concluded with calls for greater youth participation in cooperatives through initiatives like NCDC’s "Cooperative Intern" programme.
