NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 20, 2025: Union Minister of Home Affairs and Cooperation Amit Shah addressed the 92nd General Council Meeting of the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) in New Delhi today. He stated that after the formation of the Ministry of Cooperation under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the cooperative sector has witnessed unprecedented momentum, with NCDC emerging as a major driver of empowerment and financial support for cooperatives across India.
Shri Shah emphasized that the Government of India is committed to transforming the lives of farmers, rural households, fishers, small entrepreneurs, and producer groups through a robust and modern cooperative ecosystem. He noted that cooperation has become one of the strongest vehicles for India’s vision of a self-reliant and inclusive economy.
NCDC’s Financial Assistance Surges to ₹95,200 Crore
The Cooperation Minister highlighted that NCDC’s total financial disbursement has risen sharply—from ₹24,700 crore in 2020–21 to ₹95,200 crore in 2024–25, marking nearly a four-fold increase in four years. He stated that this growth reflects the confidence of the cooperative sector and the institution’s strengthened capacity for financial inclusion, innovation, and grassroots expansion.
In the last four years, NCDC has recorded over 40% compound annual growth rate, maintained zero net NPAs, and achieved its highest-ever net profit of ₹807 crore, reinforcing its credibility as one of India’s most reliable development finance institutions.
Shri Shah added that NCDC has effectively supported State Cooperative Banks, District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs), and State Marketing Federations in key sectors including dairy, food processing, textiles, and agricultural marketing, contributing directly to rural prosperity.
Strengthening PACS, FPOs & Community-Based Models
Shri Shah highlighted the Ministry of Cooperation’s efforts to transform Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) into FPO-based community enterprises, enabling farmers to receive fair prices and reduce dependence on individual-level marketing.
Through NCDC’s support:
- 1,070 Fishery FPOs (FFPOs) have already been strengthened
- Work continues on 2,348 additional FFPOs under the PM Matsya Sampada Yojana
He praised NCDC’s initiatives in organic agriculture, seed cooperatives, and export promotion, supported by the three newly formed multi-state cooperatives—
- National Cooperative Export Limited (NCEL)
- Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Limited (BBSSL)
- National Cooperative Organic Limited (NCOL)
Boosting Blue Economy and Women’s Cooperatives
The Cooperation Minister noted that NCDC is playing an important role in strengthening India’s blue economy, especially by enabling deep-sea fishing operations in Maharashtra and Gujarat. The trawlers financed by NCDC have significantly empowered women in coastal communities, enhancing their income and economic status.
Shri Shah announced that a dedicated allocation of ₹20,000 crore will be mobilized by NCDC for dairy, livestock, fisheries, sugar, textiles, food processing, warehousing, cold storage, agriculture, and women’s cooperatives, ensuring long-term, low-cost financing for both capital and working needs.
Promoting Circular Economy in Sugar & Dairy Sectors
Shri Shah emphasized the need to adopt circular economy models in the sugar and dairy sectors for higher profitability. He informed that:
- The Government has provided ₹1,000 crore grant for modernization of cooperative sugar mills
- Based on this, NCDC has sanctioned ₹10,005 crore to 56 sugar mills for ethanol plants, cogeneration units, and working capital
These interventions have created new income streams and reduced production costs for cooperatives.
India’s First Cooperative Taxi Service & Expansion of NCDC Network
Shri Shah highlighted NCDC’s crucial role in establishing India’s first cooperative taxi service, Bharat Taxi, under a newly registered multi-state cooperative society. Membership enrolment of drivers and technology development are progressing rapidly.
NCDC has expanded its national reach by opening:
- A new Regional Office in Vijayawada
- Sub-Offices in Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Sikkim, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, and Nagaland
This will ensure deeper penetration of cooperative development financing into remote and aspirational districts.
Technology, Youth, and UCB Modernization
Shri Shah appreciated NCDC’s support in:
- Strengthening the Umbrella Organisation for Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs)
- Supporting Sahkar Sarathi, the technology platform for cooperative banking
- Running the Cooperative Intern Program, in which selected youth provide managerial and technical assistance to cooperatives across India
He stressed that youth participation will be the backbone of the next-generation cooperative movement.
Apex Governance Framework Strengthened
The NCDC General Council—comprising 51 senior members from Central Ministries, State Governments, leading cooperative institutions, and NITI Aayog—serves as the apex body guiding cooperative development, rural infrastructure financing, and policy innovation.
Shri Shah concluded that with the Ministry of Cooperation providing strong leadership and reforms, and with NCDC acting as a powerful catalyst, India’s cooperative movement is entering a golden era that will directly uplift millions of households and strengthen the nation’s path toward inclusive, sustainable development.
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