NEW DELHI, FEBRUARY 16, 2026: Under the vision of “Sahkar se Samriddhi” of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Ministry of Cooperation has initiated wide-ranging structural reforms to modernise and strengthen the cooperative sector. As part of these efforts, a high-level ‘Manthan’ meeting of Cooperation Ministers of all States and Union Territories will be held on 17 February 2026 at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, under the chairmanship of Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah.
The meeting will be attended by Ministers in charge of Cooperation from States/UTs, along with senior officers of the rank of Additional Chief Secretary/Principal Secretary/Secretary. The platform will enable review of key initiatives, sharing of best practices, and preparation of a coordinated roadmap for strengthening cooperatives across the country.
Key deliberations will include the establishment of two lakh new Multi-Purpose Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), the expansion of dairy and fisheries cooperatives, and the creation of modern warehouse infrastructure under the national grain storage plan to enhance farmer access to markets and price stability.
The meeting will also discuss the role of States in newly formed national cooperative institutions — National Cooperative Exports Limited, National Cooperative Organics Limited, and Bharatiya Beej Sahkari Samiti Limited — aimed at strengthening exports, organic farming, and quality seed supply through cooperative networks.
Further discussions will cover legal reforms in State cooperative laws, strengthening cooperative banks, improving viability of sugar mills, promoting sustainability in the dairy sector, and formation of new dairy societies in collaboration with National Dairy Development Board and Amul. The agenda also includes promotion of pulses and maize production, strengthening Shared Service Entities, expansion of membership drives, and development of an effective communication strategy.
States’ expectations regarding computerisation of PACS and RCS offices, use of the National Cooperative Database, human resource development and training, and effective implementation of schemes of National Cooperative Development Corporation will also be deliberated.
The Manthan meeting aims to deepen cooperative federalism through coordinated Centre-State efforts and position cooperatives as key drivers of rural prosperity, employment generation and self-reliant economic growth.
About the Author
