International Workshop Highlights Global Best Practices to Strengthen Agricultural Cooperatives in India

15–16 December 2025, New Delhi

The National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, organized an International Workshop on ‘Best Practices in Agricultural Cooperatives in the Global Arena: Empowering Cooperatives in India for Sustainable Economic Growth and Rural Transformation’ on 15–16 December 2025 at the NAAS, NASC Complex, New Delhi.

Delivering the inaugural address as Chief Guest, Dr. M. L. Jat, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and Director General, (ICAR), emphasized that agricultural cooperatives are pivotal to achieving sustainable agricultural growth, rural prosperity, and national food security. He underscored the need for innovation-driven, market-oriented, and technology-enabled cooperatives, aligned with global best practices, climate resilience, and value-chain integration. Dr. Jat further stressed the importance of capacity building, digitalization, and strong institutional linkages to empower farmer collectives and realize India’s vision of a resilient and inclusive rural economy.

The inaugural session, held on 15 December 2025, commenced with a welcome address by Dr. W. S. Lakra, Secretary, NAAS, followed by an overview of the workshop by Prof. K. M. Maredia, Foreign Secretary, NAAS.

Dr. P. K. Joshi, Vice President, NAAS, highlighted the transformative role of agricultural cooperatives in enhancing farmers’ income, promoting inclusiveness, and improving market access.

The workshop featured rich international perspectives shared by experts from the USA, France, Tanzania, the Philippines, Brazil, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, who presented successful cooperative models and highlighted innovations in governance, financing, digitalization, and market integration across different agricultural systems.

Indian experiences were showcased by experts representing diverse cooperative sectors, including NDDB, horticulture, sugar cooperatives, fisheries, IFFCO, NAFED, the Mulkanoor Cooperative, and IRADA, demonstrating the critical role of cooperatives in enhancing farmers’ income, livelihoods, and rural development.

The programme also included experience sharing by Professional Associations of Agricultural Sciences (PAAS), thematic breakout group discussions, and a panel discussion outlining the way forward for strengthening agricultural cooperatives in India.

The deliberations underscored the need to build a robust, innovation-driven, and technology-enabled cooperative ecosystem, supported by strong institutional frameworks, continuous capacity building, and enabling policy support. The workshop reaffirmed the importance of agricultural cooperatives as a cornerstone for sustainable economic growth and rural transformation in India.

The inaugural programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Ch. Srinivasa Rao, Director, ICAR–IARI.

(Source: National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, New Delhi)