The National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) has been established to support the organic farming sector. Promoted by entities such as Amul, NAFED, and NDDB, NCOL began with a paid-up capital of ₹100 crore and an authorized share capital of ₹500 crore.

In a landmark initiative aimed at empowering India’s cooperative sector, the Ministry of Cooperation has established three national-level multi-state cooperative societies under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) Act, 2002. These societies focus on exports, organic produce, and quality seeds, respectively, providing institutional support to cooperatives across the country. The Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, shared these details in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

National Cooperative Exports Limited

The National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL) is spearheaded by prominent organizations, including the Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Limited (IFFCO), Krishak Bharati Cooperative Limited (KRIBHCO), and Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Limited (Amul), among others. With an initial paid-up capital of ₹500 crore contributed equally by its five promoters, NCEL aims to tap into global markets for Indian cooperative products. Its authorized share capital stands at ₹2,000 crore.

NCEL seeks to enhance the demand for Indian cooperative goods and services worldwide by providing a range of services such as procurement, branding, packaging, certification, and market intelligence. The society also assists cooperatives with finance, technical guidance, and capacity-building initiatives.

Key milestones include:

• Membership from 9,510 cooperatives.
• Export of 31 agricultural commodities worth ₹3,934 crore to various countries, including rice, onions, sugar, baby food, spices, and tea.
• Collaboration with state governments in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra to streamline the procurement and marketing of export-ready products.
• A net profit of ₹26.40 crore in the financial year 2023-24, with a 20 per cent dividend distributed to members in its first year of operations.

Bharatiya Beej Sahkari Samiti Limited (BBSSL)

The Bharatiya Beej Sahkari Samiti Limited (BBSSL), established with an initial paid-up capital of ₹250 crore, aims to improve seed production and distribution in India. The cooperative is supported by leading institutions like IFFCO, KRIBHCO, and the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). With an authorized share capital of ₹500 crore, BBSSL focuses on producing high-quality seeds to boost agricultural productivity, reduce reliance on imports, and support the “Make in India” initiative.

BBSSL is involved in the production, certification, branding, and distribution of foundation and certified seeds through primary agricultural credit societies (PACS).

• Membership from 14,816 cooperatives.
• Production of 11,594 quintals of foundation seeds during the Rabi 2023-24 season.
• Cultivation of 23 crop varieties across 457 acres in 10 states during Kharif 2024.
• Distribution of 38,126 quintals of seeds across various regions.
• By leveraging government schemes and policies, BBSSL aims to enhance agricultural output and promote inclusive growth under the vision of “Sahakar-se-Samriddhi.”
• National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL)

The National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) has been established to support the organic farming sector. Promoted by entities such as Amul, NAFED, and NDDB, NCOL began with a paid-up capital of ₹100 crore and an authorized share capital of ₹500 crore.NCOL provides services for certification, branding, storage, and marketing of organic products. It also facilitates financial assistance and promotes organic farming through collaboration with various governmental and non-governmental organizations.

Highlights include:

• Membership from 5,184 cooperatives.
• Marketing of 14 organic products under the brand name “Bharat Organics” in Safal outlets and two products across all distribution channels in the Delhi-NCR region.
• Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed with states like Nagaland, Assam, and Uttarakhand to promote organic farming and create bio-villages.
• Collaboration with Mother Dairy Fruit & Vegetable Pvt. Ltd. for broader distribution of Bharat Organics products through general trade, modern trade, and e-commerce platforms.
• National Urban Cooperative Finance and Development Corporation (NUCFDC)

Recognizing the challenges faced by Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs), the Ministry of Cooperation has established the National Urban Cooperative Finance and Development Corporation (NUCFDC). Registered with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on February 8, 2024, the organization aims to enhance the financial stability, governance, and competitiveness of UCBs.

NUCFDC provides both fund-based and non-fund-based support to UCBs, including:

• Fund-based support: Capital assistance, secured credit lines, refinancing, emergency liquidity, and market borrowings.
• Non-fund-based services: IT platform support, treasury management, payment and settlement services, and capacity-building initiatives.

The NUCFDC has mobilized a paid-up capital of ₹117.95 crore, with plans to reach ₹300 crore by February 2025 to comply with RBI guidelines. It also acts as a Self-Regulatory Organization (SRO) for the UCB sector, as per RBI directives.

These initiatives represent a significant step toward strengthening India’s cooperative sector. By fostering innovation, collaboration, and market expansion, the national-level multi-state cooperative societies and NUCFDC aim to drive economic growth, empower farmers and cooperatives, and establish India as a global leader in cooperative products and services.