White Revolution 2.0 Will Strengthen Women's Self-Reliance, Empowerment, and Fight Against Malnutrition: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, presided over a National Conference in New Delhi on September 19, 2024, outlining the significant steps made by the Ministry of Cooperation during the first 100 days of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third term. The event, which featured key dignitaries such as Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, Dairying, and Panchayati Raj, Minister of State for Cooperation Muralidhar Mohol, and Secretary of Cooperation Dr. Ashish Kumar Bhutani, highlighted critical initiatives aimed at rejuvenating the cooperative movement across India.

During the conference, Amit Shah launched three critical initiatives. These included the launch of the 'Margdarshika,' a guide to form and strengthen 2 lakh new Multi-Purpose Agricultural Cooperative Societies (MPACS), Dairy, and Fishery cooperatives. He also rolled out Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) under 'White Revolution 2.0' and 'Cooperation among Cooperatives,' aimed at boosting the cooperative sector's productivity and reach.

Shah stated that the Ministry of Cooperation has undertaken 10 significant initiatives in its first 100 days. He credited Prime Minister Modi for recognizing the long-standing need for a dedicated Ministry of Cooperation to drive equitable development across the nation’s villages. For decades, cooperative movements in India have been operating in isolation, with varying degrees of success across states, but under the new ministry, a unified and systematic approach has begun to take shape.

Formation of the Ministry of Cooperation

Shah highlighted the importance of the newly-formed ministry, pointing out that cooperative movements across India had been marginalized for 70 years due to a lack of attention and necessary reforms. Under Modi's leadership, however, the cooperative movement is receiving renewed focus. The establishment of an independent Ministry of Cooperation aims to empower rural India, providing employment opportunities and improving the lives of millions of people. The ministry’s overarching goal is to revitalize cooperative institutions in every district and village, fostering growth and self-reliance among the populace.

Strengthening Cooperative Societies

The launch of 'Margdarshika' aims to create and strengthen 2 lakh MPACS, dairy, and fishery cooperatives across India. Shah said that every panchayat in the country will soon have at least one PACS or cooperative society. This decentralized approach will help boost grassroots cooperative activities, bringing prosperity to remote areas. "The cooperative sector will reach new heights once these two lakh primary cooperative societies are registered," said Shah, adding that this move will strengthen cooperative institutions at the tehsil, district, and state levels.

Shah stressed that the government will ensure the newly-registered PACS are viable by expanding their activities. Traditionally, PACS were limited to offering short-term agricultural loans. However, under the new initiative, they will be empowered to handle 25 different functions, ranging from operating warehouses and providing affordable grains and medicines to running petrol pumps and LPG distribution. These PACS will play a critical role in bolstering India's three-tier cooperative structure, ultimately strengthening district and state cooperative banks.

White Revolution 2.0

The Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for 'White Revolution 2.0' were also launched. Shah highlighted that this initiative will be instrumental in empowering women in rural areas, as a significant number of women are involved in dairy production, particularly through cooperative dairies. The initiative aims to enhance the self-reliance and financial independence of these women, providing them with new economic opportunities.

Citing the example of Gujarat, where 36 lakh women are involved in the dairy sector with a combined business turnover of Rs 60,000 crore, Shah noted that cooperative dairies have the potential to lift millions of women out of poverty. Amul, one of the most recognized dairy brands in the world, stands as a testament to the success of India’s dairy cooperatives. "White Revolution 2.0 will not only empower women but also contribute to the fight against malnutrition," Shah added, noting that increased milk production will provide essential nutrition to children, particularly in malnourished and impoverished communities.

Cooperation Among Cooperatives

Another major highlight of the conference was the launch of the initiative ‘Cooperation among Cooperatives,’ aimed at fostering collaboration between cooperative institutions. Shah shared the results of experiments conducted in Gujarat’s Panchmahal and Banaskantha districts, where cooperative sector institutions opened bank accounts in cooperative banks. Debit and credit cards were also issued to women involved in milk production, empowering them financially. Over 4 lakh bank accounts have been opened, and deposits of more than Rs 550 crore have been made across just two districts.

Building on this success, the initiative will now be expanded to the national level, with a focus on strengthening cooperative activities in districts where the cooperative movement has traditionally thrived. The Ministry of Cooperation has developed a comprehensive database of cooperative societies across India, making it easier to monitor their performance and support their development.

Boosting Dairy Production and Export Potential

India has emerged as a global leader in dairy production, and Shah underscored the potential for further growth. White Revolution 2.0, along with other initiatives under the Ministry of Cooperation, aims to enhance India’s dairy infrastructure by improving the quality of animal fodder, artificial insemination techniques, and overall animal health. Shah noted that India no longer needs to rely on imported dairy machinery, as the country is on track to produce all necessary dairy-related equipment domestically.

Amit Shah reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing full budgetary support to these initiatives. By strengthening cooperative institutions, empowering rural women, and driving growth in the dairy sector, the Ministry of Cooperation aims to create a more prosperous and self-reliant India.