A high-level national roundtable on the theme “Cooperative Economic Framework through Cooperative Institutions and Economic Sectors” was held at the ICAR–National Institute of Agricultural Economics and Policy Research in New Delhi on Tuesday.
The session began with a moment of silence and prayers in remembrance of the civilians who lost their lives in the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam. The event saw participation from leading experts, policymakers, and professionals from the cooperative sector across the country.
The initiative was praised by NCUI President Dilip Sanghani, who emphasized the importance of strong systems in production, productivity, quality, and marketing for the success and prosperity of any sector. He stressed the need for cooperation, training, and well-structured projects to accelerate the overall economic development of the nation.
Sanghani further lauded the cooperative movement’s role in promoting rural development, social equity, and inclusive strategies. He described the national roundtable as a commendable effort to strengthen the foundation of India’s cooperative economy through meaningful dialogue and collaboration.
IFFCO Managing Director Dr. U. S. Awasthi delivered the keynote address at the roundtable, jointly organized by ICAR-NIAEP and the World Cooperation Economic Forum (WCOOPEF). In his speech, he elaborated on the urgent need to adopt high-tech and new-age technologies in agriculture and rural development.
Dr. Awasthi specifically highlighted how nano fertilizers are transforming the rural landscape. In a tweet after the event, he expressed gratitude to the organizers, including the Executive President of WCOOPEF and Dr. P. S. Birthal, Director of ICAR-NIAEP, for their warm welcome and recognition of IFFCO’s groundbreaking initiatives.
As part of the event, three distinguished individuals were honored with national awards for their exceptional contributions.
Professor Dr. Mallika Kumar received the Romasha Award 2025 for her deep expertise and sustained commitment to cooperative education, as well as her efforts to build an equitable, knowledge-driven society.
Ms. Kamna Jha was awarded the Laxmi Sehgal Global Award 2025 for her innovative and inclusive strategies in rural development. Under her leadership, the “Reverse Migration” initiative has played a pivotal role in revitalizing rural livelihoods.
Dr. Umakant Das was conferred the LVS Public Policy 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his lifelong dedication to public policy, social equity, and rural advancement.
Notable attendees included ICAR Director Dr. P. S. Birla, Director Prahlad Singh, Jagdeep Singh Nakai, NITI Aayog’s Kamal Tripathi, IFFCO’s Marketing Director Yogendra Kumar, MSP Committee’s Vishnu Anand, IRMA Director Dr. Umakant Das, and Professor Dr. Mallika Kumar.
The gathering marked a significant step in reaffirming the role of cooperative structures in shaping India’s economic and social policy landscape and charting the course for inclusive development, grassroots empowerment, and sustainable growth through collective action.
