Gujarat: Bhupendra Patel attends annual meeting of Cooperative institutions and ‘Sahkar Se Samriddhi’ program
(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel joined leaders from key cooperative institutions in Amreli for their Annual General Meeting and the Sahkar Se Samriddhi program. The event, organized by the Agriculture and Rural Development Council, brought together groups like the Amreli District Central Cooperative Bank, Amar Dairy, and the Amreli District Cooperative Union.
Patel highlighted how cooperatives drive prosperity, or “Sahkar Se Samriddhi,” in Gujarat. He connected the sector’s roots to India’s freedom struggle, crediting Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel—both from the region—for pushing Gram Swaraj and uniting farmers through milk cooperatives. Today, Patel said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision modernizes cooperatives to fit changing times. Under Modi’s leadership, India launched its first Ministry of Cooperation, giving the sector fresh energy.
Gujarat’s cooperatives now set examples for other states, Patel noted. In Amreli and Saurashtra, they’ve empowered farmers, boosted agriculture, supported women, and strengthened villages. He praised Dileep Sanghani’s strong leadership in the sector, emphasizing cooperatives’ focus on public welfare and service. The Amreli Central Cooperative Bank stands out as a trusted name, pioneering schemes like the Grameen Group Aakashmat Vima Yojana for farmers’ weather risks. It’s won national awards for three years running on the Atal Pension Yojana.
Amar Dairy, run by the local milk producers’ union, employs over 35,000 people and aids animal husbandry farmers. Meanwhile, the Gujarat Women Credit Cooperative Society offers loans to make women self-reliant, aligning with Modi’s push for women empowerment.
Patel pointed to Gujarat’s cooperative success: 89,000 institutions with 1.65 crore active members, a vast rural network, and a turnover topping Rs 4 lakh crore. Modi’s “Sauno Saath, Sauno Vikas” spirit—together we grow—has transformed societies into multipurpose hubs. Looking to 2047, when India aims to become a developed nation, Patel urged everyone to build Atmanirbhar Bharat through self-reliance. “Whether chips or ships, make it in India,” he echoed Modi’s call.
As Navratri and Diwali approach, Patel encouraged buying local products from women-led groups to boost Vocal for Local and swadeshi values.
Dileep Sanghani, IFFCO President, echoed the theme, saying cooperatives are key to Modi’s Atmanirbhar Bharat, uplifting the poor, rural areas, farmers, and women. Under Patel’s guidance, Gujarat’s dairy sector thrives. He recalled COVID-19 efforts, where cooperatives, leaders, and industrialists raised funds to ease farmers’ loan burdens. Initiatives like Kisan Credit Cards, Aksmat Vima Yojana, and housing loans highlight their member-focused work.
IFFCO Managing Director K.J. Patel called on societies to embrace “Sahakar thi Samruddhi” for progress. Saurashtra’s cooperatives are advancing steadily, he said, with IFFCO’s efforts to double farmers’ incomes through innovations like nano fertilizers. These eco-friendly options protect soil, water, and air while boosting crop yields.
Amar Dairy Chairman Ashvinbhai Savaliya welcomed guests, crediting Sanghani for resolving dairy challenges during Modi’s time as Gujarat CM. This sparked Saurashtra’s White Revolution, using tech and innovation to increase milk production.
During the event, Patel handed a Rs 2 lakh cheque to a Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Vima Yojana beneficiary and Rs 3 lakh to one under the Grameen Group Aakashmat Vima Yojana. He also gave a micro ATM to the Randal Dadva Seva Cooperative Society.
Honors went to Jignesh Patel as Gujarat Market Control Board Chairman, Harsh Mukeshbhai Sanghani for leading the International Cooperative Alliance’s Youth Committee, and Ashokbhai Gondaliya as a banking expert at India’s top cooperative university. Long-serving elders in the sector received special recognition too.
Before the meeting, Patel planted trees and distributed saplings to members.
The gathering drew MP Bharatbhai Sutariya, MLAs like Kaushik Vekariya, Mahesh Kaswala, and others, plus Amul’s Vice Chairman Gordhan Paneliya, IFFCO’s Yogendra Kumar, and crowds of farmers, cattle rearers, and cooperative leaders.
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