Though the Sensex may have tanked in the wake of the budget presentation by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the co-operators of different sectors from fertilizer to dairy have given a thumbs up to the provisions of the Union Budget.
Among other things, the budget talks about introducing a new co-op policy, an initiative aimed at revolutionizing the co-op sector and laying down a roadmap for future growth. Most of the leaders have appreciated this statement. The special focus and a bigger chunk of funds for agriculture and rural development have also enthused co-operators connected with PACS and the rural economy.
Some of the other key highlights of the Union Budget 2024-25 include Promotion of FPOs, cooperatives & start-ups for vegetable supply chains, Transforming Agriculture Research, Atmanirbharta in oil seeds, release of 109 new varieties, focus on Natural Farming with enlisting of one crore farmers, focus on Shrimp Production & Export and Digital Public Infrastructure for coverage of farmers and their lands in 3 years. Digital crop survey in 400 districts and Issuance of Jan Samarth based Kisan Credit Cards to be taken up.
Due to a shortage of space, we are not able to incorporate all views, so we publish some of them as follows:
NCUI Chairman Dileepbhai Sanghani
In the union budget 2024-25, the priority has been given to agriculture, farmers and farming which is commendable.
Many announcements were made for strengthening the agriculture sector and importantly bringing out the National Cooperative Policy.
Special thanks to our beloved Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for making a budgetary allocation of Rs 1.52 lakh for agriculture and allied sectors.
Dr Chandra Pal Singh Yadav, ICA-AP President
Mentioning the introduction of New Cooperative Policy in the budgetary speech by the union Finance minister Ms Nirmala Sitharaman is very encouraging for the cooperators and cooperative movement of the country.
As NCUI President in the past I myself felt the need to have an all-encompassing co-op policy which can be applied to all the parts of the country. I welcome the budget for its pro-cooperative approach.
IFFCO MD Dr U S Awasthi
The Union Budget2024 presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman ji in Lok Sabha envisages sustained efforts on farming and agriculture.
It’s good for generating ample opportunities for Productivity and Resilience in Agriculture.
Rs 1.52 Lakh Cr allocated for agriculture and allied sectors. Good initiative in seed farming and Atma Nirbharta in pulses & oil seeds.
Sahakar Bharati President D N Thakur
There are many good and innovative initiatives, especially its focus on strengthening cooperatives.
Cooperative is the only way forward for addressing the problems faced by the rural people and also the urban population attached to the unorganized sector .
Another significant move is paving the path for addressing the climate related issues the Indian way. Overall, it’s a very good budget.
Jyotindra Mehta, Chairman of Umbrella organization for UCBs
The government plans to strengthen the cooperative credit structure and financing, and create infrastructure and technology to promote the cooperative sector.
The government aims to promote high-quality education, training, and research in the cooperative sector to develop skills and knowledge. We welcome the budget.
Nafcub President Laxmi Das
We welcome the budget and the announcements like introducing the new National Cooperative Policy which would give a big push towards strengthening the cooperative sector. The vision of Prime Minister ‘Sahkar Se Samriddhi’ would also be fulfilled.
It is a very balanced budget aimed at making the middle class stronger. The interests of all sectors have been beautifully taken care of.
RBI Central Board Director & Sah Bharati leader Satish Marathe
It is a Budget focused on addressing Unemployment through Skilling & ramping up supply of price sensitive food items viz Vegetables, Pulses & Edible Oil to bring down inflation.
Strengthening Rural CoOps, particularly, PACs, Dairy & Fisheries will play an important role in increasing income levels in the Rural sector.
Capital expenditure continues to rise without increasing Govt borrowings.
Transition to Renewable energy, harnessing Digital Public Platform to Agri & several measures to support MSMEs are other notable features of the Budget.
On the whole a Welcome Budget in challenging times.
Nafcard Chairman Dollar Kotecha
This historic budget showers the agricultural sector with transformative initiatives aimed at bolstering the nation’s farming landscape.
A whopping Rs. 1.52 lakh crore has been allocated to agriculture and allied sectors, marking a decisive step towards empowering farmers across the country.
This budget also heralds the National Cooperation Policy under the guidance of Hon’ble Union Home and Cooperative Minister Shri Amitbhai Shah, fostering rapid growth in the cooperative sector.
Many thanks to our visionary Prime Minister Modi for unveiling an unprecedented budget, complete with special provisions aimed at fostering national self-reliance and delivering substantial benefits to the agriculture and cooperative sectors across the country.
Vamnicom Director Hema Yadav
Announcement of National Cooperation Policy for systematic, orderly and all-round development of the cooperative sector.
Cooperative education and skilling will strengthen the cooperative sector and will be more towards social inclusion besides creating jobs and all-round development.
Cooperative training education and skilling will be strengthened and promoted by the hub and spoke model.
The Ministry of Cooperation initiatives such as updating the scope of PACS and diversifying into various activities will get a boost.
