Leading India’s Cooperative Movement into a Transformative Era
The National Cooperative Union of India (NCUI), under the leadership of President Shri Dileep Sanghani, has been at the forefront of India’s cooperative movement for decades. In 2024, NCUI witnessed a transformative phase with groundbreaking initiatives contributing to sustainable economic and social development in India.
India’s Ministry of Cooperation (MoC), led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Minister Shri Amit Shah, introduced over 55 initiatives to empower cooperatives. These included tax relief, enhanced cooperative banking, and the establishment of new national-level cooperatives. NCUI played a pivotal role in implementing these measures, contributing to the modernization and diversification of the sector.
Notable achievements included the launch of the Centre for Entrepreneurship Development and Cooperation (CEDC), promoting sustainable livelihoods, market outreach, and cooperative education. Initiatives like the NCUI Haat and the digital NCUI e-Haat showcased products from cooperatives, particularly those led by women, aligning with India’s “Vocal for Local” campaign.
The organization also made strides in education and governance through the National Cooperative Resource Centre (NCRC) and the Cooperative Extension and Advisory Services (CEAS) Division. Platforms like the CEAS-LMS portal provided multilingual training, expert advice, and innovative resources tailored for cooperative members.
2024 also saw initiatives like “White Revolution 2.0,” promoting sustainable practices and creating new cooperatives in dairy and fisheries. Moreover, NCUI engaged in shaping the upcoming National Cooperative Policy (NCP), which envisions the establishment of a National Cooperative University to foster research and leadership in the sector.
India’s cooperative achievements reached a global stage during the ICA Global Conference in New Delhi, where the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) 2025 was officially launched by Prime Minister Modi. This highlighted the vital role of cooperatives in fostering equality, sustainability, and economic empowerment. Shri Modi described cooperatives as “deeply rooted in India’s culture and way of life,” showcasing their importance in both India’s history and future.
As the IYC 2025 approaches, NCUI continues to lead efforts to ensure cooperatives remain at the center of India’s socioeconomic progress, demonstrating their potential to drive global change.
