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NDTV
a day ago
- Business
- NDTV
Amit Shah, Devendra Fadnavis Back Co-operatives As Key Rural Growth Engines
Mumbai: In a bid to promote India's cooperative system and boost the rural economy, Home Minister Amit Shah addressed two high-profile events in Mumbai. The first event was hosted by the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED), marked the celebration of the upcoming International Cooperative Year 2025. The second event commemorated 100 years of the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (MACCIA). It was Amit Shah's second visit to Maharashtra in two consecutive months, which is also seen as an attempt to connect with the local voters, months before the civic body polls kickstart in the state. NAFED Event: Strengthening Rural Economy Through Cooperatives Addressing the gathering, Mr Shah stated that while cooperation is often seen as an economic system elsewhere, in India, it reflects a way of life rooted in shared tradition and collective progress. "To come together, live together, and move towards a common aim - to be together in happiness and sadness - is the soul of our country," the Home Minister said. He underlined how successful cooperative models like AMUL, IFFCO, KRIBHCO, and NAFED have transformed lives. "In Gujarat, 36 lakh rural women are part of Amul. None of them invested more than Rs 100, yet they created a turnover of Rs 80,000 crore," he said, adding that money directly reaches them. Mr Shah announced that NAFED had already started procuring crops such as corn and pulses on Minimum Support Price (MSP), with an app-based system enabling farmers to choose better prices in the open market if available. He said such digital platforms would help farmers efficiently plan all three seasonal crops and shared examples from Uttar Pradesh, where triple-cropping had increased rural engagement. He noted that the ministry, long in demand but delayed due to its categorisation under the State List, has created a national cooperative database, increasing the chances of the cooperatives reaching across the country. This includes information about cooperatives in every village and helps identify regions for expansion. Plans are underway to set up two lakh new Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) with integrated services including dairies, fisheries, petrol pumps, gas agencies, warehouses, and even common service centres that offer everything from ticket booking to certificates. "Corporate and cooperative tax laws have now been aligned," Mr Shah said, mentioning that even long-standing issues like the Rs 15,000 crore sugarcane mill tax dispute in Maharashtra were resolved under the Modi government. He also laid out plans for ethanol blending using corn, incentivised with increased procurement prices, reducing import dependence and increasing farmer income. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, speaking at the same event, stated that no other place was more appropriate to celebrate the cooperative movement than Maharashtra, which boasts over 120 years of cooperative history. Mr Fadnavis said the state had exceeded the central targets and created new rural economic linkages. He urged NAFED to resolve the issue of procurement shortfalls, especially regarding 'poti' (grain bags), and assured continued support for cooperative growth. MACCIA 100 Years: Industry and Cooperative Growth Hand-in-Hand At the centenary event of the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (MACCIA), all three - Amit Shah, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his deputy Eknath Shinde - underscored the role of cooperative and industrial synergy in Maharashtra's development. Mr Shinde praised the government's proactive style: "Our government takes no-reason, on-the-spot decisions," he said. Referring to the earlier Maha Vikas Aghadi regime, Mr Shinde said, "The Chamber would meet them and ask them to act - I used to tell them, Amit Bhai would suggest something, we'd do it, and it would get done." Amit Shah, speaking at MACCIA, noted that Maharashtra continues to lead industrial investment in the country, housing India's largest ports and boasting the highest number of women income tax payers. He recalled concerns over Mumbai's traffic but said the Centre had allocated Rs 7,000 crore for the Metro project. Without naming him, Mr Shah appeared to criticise former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, asking rhetorically, "What has been done for Mumbai? What's your vision?" Mr Shah traced the shift in governance focus, stating, "When I started in politics, farmer suicides were always being discussed." He highlighted the implementation of the Jalyukt Shivar Yojana in Marathwada and Vidarbha and contrasted earlier central assistance to Maharashtra - Rs 1.91 lakh crore - with the Modi-era figure of Rs 7 lakh crore. He concluded by stating that only when both agriculture and industry function efficiently can development be meaningful. "It's this approach that has helped India become the fourth-largest economy in the world."
Hans India
a day ago
- Business
- Hans India
Govt to set up cooperative insurance firm, two lakh new PACS: Union Minister Shah
Mumbai: Union Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah on Friday said that the cooperation ministry has taken a slew of decisions to transform the cooperative sector across the country. He announced that the government will establish a cooperative insurance company to facilitate insurance services within the cooperative sector and it will open up various new opportunities. The new entity is expected to provide tailored insurance solutions for cooperative institutions, ensuring better risk coverage and financial security. In addition, two lakh Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS) will be established, which will lead to their presence in every panchayat. The new PACS will be multidimensional and they will be able to do 22 different activities. "Apart from the present work of providing primary agricultural funds, PACS will do various works including running a petrol pump, undertake gas distribution, conduct maintenance under the 'Har Ghar Nal Se Jal Yojana', and do railway and air ticket bookings," he said. In his speech at the conference organised by NAFED, Union Minister Shah said that of the 71,000 PACS, nearly 52,000 have become live due to computerisation and related initiatives. He announced that the foundation laying of the Tribhuvan Sahkari University, which will work at the national level, will take place by August. 'Cooperation may be a system for the whole world, but for India, cooperation is the philosophy of our traditional way of life. Coming together, thinking together, working together towards a common goal, standing by each other in joy and sorrow — this is the soul of India's philosophy of life. "Whether it's the purchase of farmers' grains at MSP across the country or providing every poor person with 5 kilos of free grains under PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, NCCF and NAFED play a crucial role in all these initiatives," he said. He added that to make the cooperative movement stronger, the government has prepared a database which will also be available at the state Registrar level. He said that to empower taxi drivers and promote cooperative entrepreneurship, Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited has been officially registered. Under the Sahakar Taxi structure, cab drivers will be direct members and co-owners as this model allows for equitable profit sharing, democratic governance, and ensures that the benefits of the platform flow directly to those who run it. Moreover, Union Minister Shah said that the government has taken a number of decisions to provide relief to the cooperative sector in the income tax regime. He added that the Centre has waived income tax worth Rs 15,000 crore payable by the cooperative sugar factories in Maharashtra and come out with a permanent solution to provide them relief.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Mango glut: CM Siddaramaiah asks Agriculture Minister to hold talks with Centre to seek compensation
The Karnataka Cabinet on Thursday (June 19, 2024) discussed the financial crisis faced by mango growers following crash in prices in the market and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah asked Agriculture Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy to hold talks with Union Minister for Agriculture Shivraj Singh Chouhan to seek compensation to growers. Mango prices plummeted from ₹12,000 per quintal to ₹3,000 per quintal, the government said. Briefing the Cabinet decisions after the meeting, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil said the Chief Minister asked Mr. Cheluvarayaswamy to go to Delhi if necessary to seek compensation from the Centre or procurement of the crop from farmers from the Central agencies such as NAFED and NCCF. A few days ago, Mr. Siddaramaiah had appealed to the Centre to take urgent steps to help mango farmers of the State as fruit prices had dropped sharply this season. In a letter to Mr. Chouhan, Mr Siddaramaiah, who will be in Delhi on Friday (June 20, 2025), requested the Centre to start a Price Deficiency Payment and Market Intervention Scheme and start immediate procurement though central agencies such as NAFED and NCCF to support farmers and stop further distress in rural areas. Mango is one of Karnataka's major horticultural crops, cultivated over an area of 1.39 lakh hectares, with an estimated production of 8-10 lakh tonnes during the Rabi season.
News18
13-06-2025
- Business
- News18
Siddaramaiah Puts Mango Matchup With Andhra In Centre's 'Aambit', Seeks Urgent Intervention
Last Updated: Siddaramaiah has urged union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to implement a Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS) under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for mango The mango war between Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh has been escalated by chief minister Siddaramaiah, who has written to union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, seeking immediate intervention. Siddaramaiah has urged the Centre to implement a 'Price Deficiency Payment Scheme" (PDPS) for mangoes under the Market Intervention Scheme. He has also called for designated central procurement agencies like NAFED and NCCF to begin procurement at an approved intervention price. This, he said, would act as a safety net for mango farmers and ensure they receive at least the minimum cost of cultivation. 'Timely intervention would help stabilise prices, prevent further rural distress, and ensure the farming community's interests are protected during this difficult period," Siddaramaiah said. The move follows a lack of response from Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu to an earlier letter from Siddaramaiah, as well as an appeal made by Karnataka chief secretary Shalini Rajneesh to her Andhra counterpart seeking withdrawal of a ban imposed on the entry of Totapuri mangoes from Karnataka into Chittoor district. In his June 11 letter to Naidu, Siddaramaiah described the ban as 'unilateral" and contrary to the spirit of cooperative federalism. He warned that such actions could trigger retaliatory measures and further strain interstate relations. Earlier, chief secretary Rajneesh had also written to Andhra counterpart K Vijayanand, urging him to revoke the order issued by the Chittoor district administration. 'This abrupt restriction has severely impacted mango farmers in Karnataka's border districts, who rely heavily on Chittoor-based processing units. The disruption of this long-standing trade link could result in significant post-harvest losses," she noted. Explaining the crisis to the Centre, Siddaramaiah said mango farmers in Karnataka are suffering major losses as prices crash during peak harvest. Mango is cultivated across over 1.39 lakh hectares in districts such as Bengaluru Rural, Bengaluru Urban, Kolar, Chikkaballapur, and Bengaluru South, with an estimated 8–10 lakh metric tonnes expected this season. Prices, which had peaked at Rs 12,000 per quintal, have dropped to as low as Rs 3,000. The Karnataka State Agricultural Price Commission estimates the cost of cultivation at Rs 5,466 per quintal. 'This mismatch is placing enormous financial strain on growers," Siddaramaiah said. Every year, nearly three lakh tonnes of Totapuri mangoes are transported from Karnataka to pulp processing units in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. But this season, processors are offering just Rs 4 per kg—a rate farmers say is completely unsustainable. 'It's inadequate," said Nalathur Chinnappa Reddy, president of the Kolar Mango Producers' Association. Reddy said Andhra Pradesh has fixed a minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 8 per kg for Totapuri, with the state subsidising Rs 4. 'Our harvest season has just begun. We have only a month to sell our crop," he said. Chittoor collector Sumeet Kumar, who issued the entry ban, defended the decision, saying it was aimed at protecting local farmers and stabilising the market. Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh and Krishnagiri in Tamil Nadu are major hubs for mango pulp processing. After two years of low Totapuri yields, processors had paid higher prices. However, reduced off-take by multinational buyers and exporters in 2022–23 and 2023–24 led to stockpiles, prompting a steep cut in procurement prices this year. First Published: June 13, 2025, 21:31 IST
India Gazette
13-06-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah writes to Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, seeks urgent help for mango farmers
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 13 (ANI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday write a letter to Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, asking for urgent help for mango farmers in the state. He said that mango prices have dropped sharply this season, causing big losses for farmers. Many small and marginal farmers are struggling to even cover their basic costs. In his letter, the Chief Minister requested the Centre to start a Price Deficiency Payment Scheme and begin immediate procurement through agencies like NAFED to support farmers and stop further distress in rural areas. 'I am writing to draw your immediate and personal attention to the severe distress being faced by mango farmers across Karnataka due to a sharp and unsustainable decline in market prices during the current harvest season. Mango is one of Karnataka's major horticultural crops, cultivated over an area of approximately 1.39 lakh hectares, with an estimated production of 8-10 lakh metric tonnes this Rabi season, particularly in Bangalore Rural, Bangalore Urban, Chikkaballapur, Kolar, and Bangalore South districts,' the letter reads. 'During the peak harvest months of May to July, heavy market arrivals have led to substantial price fluctuations. Market prices, which earlier hovered around 12,000 per quintal, have now plummeted to as low as 23,000 per quintal, while the Karnataka State Agriculture Price Commission has recommended the cost of cultivation at 25,466 per quintal. This sharp mismatch between production costs and market realisations has placed the farming community under acute financial stress,' the letter reads. Siddaramaiah has said that thousands of small mango farmers are facing big losses and can't even cover their basic farming costs. In his letter to the Centre, he warned that farmer protests are rising and the situation could become worse if quick action is not taken. 'Thousands of small and marginal mango growers are unable to recover even their basic input costs, leading to widespread protests and growing agrarian anxiety. Unless prompt and effective intervention is undertaken, this crisis may lead to serious socio-economic consequences in the region,' the letter further reads. He asked the central government to quickly start a Price Deficiency Payment Scheme to help mango farmers. He also requested agencies like NAFED and NCCF to begin buying mangoes at fair prices to make sure farmers get at least their basic costs. This support will help stop farmers from facing more losses and protect their income during this hard time. 'In view of this grave situation, I earnestly request that immediate steps be taken to implement a Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS) under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for mango, as an urgent policy response. Necessary directions may also be issued to designated central procurement egencies such as NAFED and NCCF to initiate procurement operations immediately at an appropriato intervention price, ensuring that farmers receive at foast the minimum cost of cultivation as a safety net Such a timely intervention will not only help to stabilize prices but also prevent further deepening of rural distress and will ensure that the interests of our farming community are adequately protected during this difficult period. I look forward to your immediate and sympathetic consideration in the larger interest of lakhs of farmers in Karnataka,' the letter further mentioned. (ANI)
