IFFCO rewards co-operators on golden jubilee

Jyotindrabhai M. Mehta from Gujarat honoured with Sahakarita Ratna Award and Ramesh Vaidya from Karnataka with Sahakarita Bandhu Award

On completion of its glorious 50 years, IFFCO, the world’s largest fertiliser cooperative, felicitated individuals and co-operators for their immense contribution with two special cooperative awards - Sahakarita Ratna Award and Sahakarita Bandhu Award. Shri Jyotindrabhai M. Mehta from Gujarat was honoured with IFFCO Sahakarita Ratna Award 2016-17. Shri Ramesh Vaidya, an ardent co-operator from Karnataka was awarded with IFFCO's Sahkarita Bandhu Award. Both the awards carry a prize money of Rs 11,00,000 each along with a citation. So far, IFFCO has given 32 Sahakarita Ratna Awards and 23 Sahkarita Bandhu Awards.

At their oldest plant which is its mother unit in Kalol, Gujarat, the function took place. IFFCO started its journey in 1967 to bring change in the rural landscape of India and has been playing a vital role in enhancing the farmer’s living condition in the country. Golden Jubilee celebrations also marked the conclusion of Dr. U.S. Awasthi’s all India farmer & cooperative meet covering 125 locations.

Dr. U.S. Awasthi, Managing Director, IFFCO said, "We at IFFCO feel grateful to the farmers and co-operators of the country for reposing their faith and trust in us. We are fortunate to be associated with people like Jyotindrabhai M. Mehta and Ramesh Vaidya, who have taken the cooperative movement to the next level. We look forward to strengthening our bond with co-operators to build a better future for our farmers."

Shri Jyotindrabhai M. Mehta is a veteran co-operator from Gujarat. Recipient of numerous prestigious awards, presently Jyotindrabhai is serving as the National President of Sahakar Bharti and is a Director on the board of National Cooperative Union of India (NCUI). An advocate and tax consultant by profession, he is associated with the cooperative movement since 1985. He has immensely contributed to the growth of Urban Cooperative Banks (UCB) by introducing various reforms. He believes in adopting new digital technologies in the bank and has made efforts for their implementation. Shri Mehta has also conceptualized and promoted ‘Proudly Co-operative’ logo to give distinct identity to cooperatives across nation.

Shri Ramesh Vaidya, after completing his graduate degree in science joined Sahakar Bharti to serve the cooperative movement of Karnataka. His contribution to the welfare of farmers of Karnataka, especially the sugarcane growers is immense. He has been associated with and has actively participated in cooperative organizations at both regional and national level. Shri Vaidya has presented various papers on cooperation at national and international forum that have been widely appreciated.

Dr. Awasthi also further added “IFFCO started as a thought & an experiment to empower Indian farmers, is today the world’s largest fertiliser co-operative. As we move ahead, we would continue working towards understanding our farmers’ evolving requirements and equipping them with modern solutions to meet the demands of the rapidly changing economic landscape.”

IFFCO intends to connect the #DigitalIndia with #DigitalBharat and for the same it has launched a new digital initiative called the “Indian Cooperative Digital Platform., which at moment connects over 2.5 crore farmers and co-operators and aspires to connect entire cooperative & farming community in India. The objective of the portal is to provide a digital platform for communication and commerce between farmers/ consumer, IFFCO, and its associate & subsidiaries. This platform gives the ultimate power in the hands of the farmers, and it enhances their capabilities to buy and sell at fair prices.

IFFCO has introduced yet another ground breaking platform for the farmers and their families called ‘IFFCOYUVA’. This is a platform especially for farmers’ children and it provides them with the opportunity to acquire necessary skills and educates them, and get a platform to connect job seekers with job providers. IFFCO has also initiated rural health program in collaboration with a Start Up called Gramin Health. Thus, ensuring that health, wealth, and education for farmers and their families. 

IFFCO is all set to look forward with a Vision and strategy for the future and is looking forward to take a plunge in the next orbit in upcoming future.