Union Home & Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah chaired a high-level meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Cooperation today at Banas Dairy, located in the Vav–Tharad district of Gujarat. The meeting was attended by Union Ministers of State for Cooperation Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar and Shri Murlidhar Mohol, Members of Parliament on the Committee, Cooperation Secretary Dr. Ashish Kumar Bhutani, and senior officials of the Ministry.
A comprehensive presentation was made before the Committee outlining the future strategy for India’s dairy cooperative network, the roadmap for White Revolution 2.0, and the critical role cooperatives play in ensuring sustainability, circularity, and rural economic development.
Cooperatives: Backbone of Rural Economy and Women’s Empowerment
Addressing the meeting, Shri Amit Shah underlined that cooperation remains the foundation of India’s rural economy and a key driver of farmers’ income growth. He emphasized that, in line with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Sahakar Se Samriddhi’, dairy cooperatives have emerged as a powerful force for farmers’ welfare and national self-reliance in milk production.
He stated that dairy cooperatives are the most effective instruments for increasing the income of rural women, enabling economic independence at the household level. Shri Shah urged cooperative leaders to strengthen grassroots institutions and expand their financial support mechanisms.
White Revolution 2.0: Cooperative Society in Every Panchayat, Dairy in Every District
Highlighting the structural reforms underway, Shri Shah announced the establishment of three national-level Multi-State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) dedicated to the dairy sector. These institutions, supported by NDDB and the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, form the backbone of White Revolution 2.0.
The key objectives include:
-
Setting up one cooperative society in every Panchayat
-
Ensuring one functional dairy in every district with sufficient milk production
-
Strengthening farmer-centric value chains and transparent milk procurement systems
He also highlighted the role of Tribhuvan Cooperative University (TSU) in Anand, which will collaborate with dairy technology institutes to launch B.Sc. and M.Sc. courses in Dairy Technology and Management. Graduates will help replicate the Banas Dairy model across India, supporting the expansion of modern dairy cooperatives.
Insurance Cooperatives to Improve Rural Access to Essential Services
Shri Amit Shah proposed linking village-level cooperative societies with insurance cooperatives, ensuring seamless access to insurance services in rural areas. This includes:
-
Motor vehicle insurance (two-wheeler and four-wheeler)
-
Dairy sector insurance schemes
-
Other essential coverage options
He stressed that cooperative institutions should support each other by investing within the cooperative ecosystem, enabling capital expansion and mutual strengthening.
District-Level Soil Testing Labs to Boost Scientific Farming
Using the successful model of Banas Dairy, Shri Shah announced that four state-of-the-art soil testing laboratories will be established in every district.
These labs will:
-
Provide farmers with scientific analysis of soil quality
-
Guide optimal use of fertilizers such as urea, DAP, and micronutrients
-
Help reduce excessive chemical usage
-
Improve long-term soil health and agricultural productivity
He emphasized that informed fertilizer application is crucial to maintaining soil fertility and enhancing crop yields, making scientific soil assessment an essential service for rural communities.
Conclusion: Parliamentary Consultative Committee Meeting
The meeting reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transforming India’s cooperative ecosystem through structured reforms, professional capacity-building, and stronger grassroots institutions. With White Revolution 2.0, enhanced cooperative linkages, rural insurance access, and scientific soil management, the Ministry of Cooperation aims to build a more resilient, prosperous, and inclusive rural economy anchored in cooperative principles.
A comprehensive presentation was made before the Committee outlining the future strategy for India’s dairy cooperative network, the roadmap for White Revolution 2.0, and the critical role cooperatives play in ensuring sustainability, circularity and strong rural economic development.
For more real-time updates, visit Channel 6 Network.
Source: PIB
