Cooperatives can change financial status of farmers: Radha Mohan

Pinning hope on cooperatives in bringing prosperity in the lives of farmers, Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh on Saturday said that the cooperatives have the potential to create employment for poor and marginal farmers as well.

"Cooperatives are not new to our country and that the cooperative movement had first started in a village in Gujarat and the movement led to the enactment of Cooperative Credit Societies Act, 1904. Modern cooperatives have attained a comprehensive shape during 112-years journey. There are several cooperatives operational in the country scripting numerous development stories," Singh said while inaugurating interstate cooperative investment summit & exhibition in Dehradun.

Talking about the role of cooperatives in the development of Uttarakhand, the agriculture minister said, "Women rub shoulders with other family members and work hard to provide a better life to their families. These women can strengthen their economic status through cooperatives in the small industry sector such as forestry, vegetable and fruit farming and solar energy."

Hailing the participation of Uttarakhand in cooperative societies, Singh said, "It's indeed an appreciable move. There are 4,381 societies in the state, which are associated with various professions. As many as 759 packs are operational and their membership is 1,285. It's also applaudable that hundred percent villages are covered under these packs."