India Showcases Cooperative Achievements in International Year of Cooperatives 2025

India marked the International Year of Cooperatives 2025 with significant strides in strengthening its cooperative sector, demonstrating how collaboration can drive rural development, financial inclusion, and women empowerment. Guided by the motto “Sahkar Se Samriddhi” (Prosperity through Cooperation), India has expanded and modernised its cooperative ecosystem to benefit millions of farmers, artisans, women, and youth.

Over 8.5 lakh cooperatives exist in India, with 6.6 lakh functional , serving nearly 32 crore members across 30 sectors , including agriculture, dairy, fisheries, and banking. Around 10 crore women are linked through Self-Help Groups (SHGs). Digitalisation has been a key focus, with over 59,000 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) using ERP-based software, and 32,119 PACS fully enabled as e-PACS to improve transparency and efficiency.

The year saw 32,009 new PACS, dairy, and fisheries cooperatives registered, extending coverage to almost every village. PACS now act as village service hubs, providing seeds, fertilisers, LPG, petrol, medicines, water supply, and digital services. Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs) have improved market access, while initiatives like White Revolution 2.0 and the decentralised grain storage plan are strengthening livelihoods and food security.

National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL) and National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) have enabled cooperatives to participate in global markets and promote organic produce, while Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Limited (BBSSL) supports high-quality seeds. Constitutional recognition under the 97th Amendment Act ensures democratic governance and autonomy, further boosting trust and participation.

Through digitalisation, capacity building, financial support, and policy reforms, India has showcased how cooperatives can transform rural communities into engines of inclusive, sustainable development, making the International Year of Cooperatives 2025 a landmark celebration of collective growth.

The 97th Constitutional Amendment Act has provided cooperatives constitutional recognition, ensuring democratic governance, transparency, and autonomy. Financial support from NCDC and NABARD, along with the National Cooperation Policy 2025, has strengthened rural livelihoods, expanded cooperative networks, and enabled entrepreneurship. With initiatives like digitalisation, cooperative universities, skill development programs, and cooperative-led mobility platforms such as Sahakar Taxi, India is redefining cooperatives as modern institutions that generate income, employment, and self-reliance, while fostering inclusive and sustainable rural development.

India’s cooperative sector is rapidly expanding, digitalising, and empowering rural communities, women, and farmers, with constitutional backing and government support transforming cooperatives into engines of inclusive growth.