NCEL - Taking India’s cooperatives to the world

National Co-operative Exports Limited (NCEL), the umbrella body for India’s cooperative sector exports, is quickly emerging as a global force. Formally registered in January 2023 under the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act, NCEL brings together co-operatives across India to tap international markets under the vision of “Sahakar se Samriddhi” - prosperity through cooperation.

Promoted by Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO), Krishak Bharati Cooperative Limited (KRIBHCO), National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED), Amul Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) and National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), NCEL began with a paid-up capital of ₹500 crore. In just two years, it has attracted over 11,000 member cooperatives, most of them Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), the village-level institutions that support farmers.

By August 2025, NCEL had exported 13.49 lakh metric tonnes of commodities worth ₹5,403 crore, including rice, onions, sugar, spices, tea and processed food, to 28 countries. Its turnover for 2024-25 stood at ₹4,283 crore, with a net profit of ₹122 crore. Member cooperatives also benefited from a 20% dividend payout in its very first year.

To expand further, NCEL has signed 61 agreements with importers from Senegal, Indonesia and Nepal, while also working with state governments and PACS to prepare farmers for global trade. Training programmes, branding support, multilingual newsletters and digital campaigns are part of its outreach strategy.

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah has urged NCEL to aim higher, with an ambitious target of ₹2 lakh crore in exports. Plans include exploring new markets for sugar, organic cotton, aromatic rice and fresh vegetables, alongside opening offices in Africa and Myanmar.

In a short span, NCEL has shown how India’s cooperative movement can scale up to the global stage linking farmers and producers directly to world markets, creating jobs, and ensuring better returns for rural communities.

While the government has set an ambitious ₹2 lakh crore export target for NCEL, achieving this will require massive growth from current levels. This will depend on scaling infrastructure, logistics, and global market linkages.

A key question is whether village-level cooperatives (PACS) can transition smoothly into export operations. Currently, most PACS handle credit and local marketing, but they lack experience in grading, packaging, certifications, and global compliance.

Another challenge is competition from private exporters, both domestic and global. Private players are faster, more flexible, and often have established global relationships.

Centralization through NCEL ensures scale, compliance, and efficiency but can limit uniqueness and local creativity.

Market volatility also poses risks. Prices for staples like rice, sugar, and onions are highly unstable due to climate shocks, geopolitical tensions, and past export bans. Such fluctuations can affect both profitability and international buyer confidence.

To succeed, NCEL will need to diversify its commodity portfolio, invest in infrastructure and training, maintain transparent communication with buyers, and focus on value-added products like spices, organic cotton, specialty rice, and processed foods. If managed well, NCEL could transform India’s cooperative sector into a globally trusted exporter, combining scale with ethical, farmer-driven branding.