Ministry of Cooperation Concludes 9th National Review Workshop in Bastar, Urges States to Create Action Plans Based on Local Needs

The Ministry of Cooperation concluded a two-day 9th National Review Workshop on October 8 and 9, 2026, in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, themed 'Sahkar se Samriddhi — The Way Forward: From Cooperative Transformation to Broad Impact.' The primary objective of the workshop was to translate Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Sahkar se Samriddhi' and the reforms in the cooperative sector led by Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah into concrete and measurable results.

Addressing the closing session, Dr. Ashish Kumar Bhutani, Secretary of the Ministry of Cooperation, stated that a single model for cooperative development cannot be applied across the entire country, as every state has its own unique circumstances and requirements. He urged states to prepare time-bound action plans according to their priorities, identify responsible officials, and ensure regular monitoring.

Discussions during the workshop focused on the expansion of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS). Dr. Bhutani mentioned the goal of forming approximately 95,000 new PACS over the next two to three years. He directed that the first phase of PACS computerization be completed by December 2026, and that audits for the financial years 2024–25 and 2025–26 be finalized by October 2026.

Emphasis was placed on strengthening cybersecurity in cooperative banking and the necessity of adopting modern Core Banking Solution (CBS) platforms. The Secretary noted that NABARD is progressing with the development of a uniform CBS platform, which will address the technical challenges of cooperative banks and help attract younger customers.

Regarding agricultural marketing and storage, the workshop discussed the expansion of decentralized food storage infrastructure. The Ministry of Cooperation will consider launching pilot projects for alternative marketing and financing models, including pledge finance, while maintaining the Minimum Support Price (MSP) system. This aim is to ensure remunerative prices for farmers, particularly those growing grains other than wheat and paddy.

The workshop also deliberated on the aggregation of agricultural produce and improving market access through entities such as the National Cooperative Export Limited (NCEL), National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL), and the Bharatiya Beej Sahkari Samiti Limited (BBSSL). Additionally, stress was laid on bringing informal collection systems in the dairy sector into an organized cooperative framework.

The event was attended by senior officials from various states, registrars of cooperatives, and representatives of national cooperative organizations. It is proposed that the next National Review Workshop be held in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, in January 2027.