R.S. Sodhi, Managing Director, Gujarat Cooperative Milk & Marketing Federation Ltd. (AMUL), Anand speaking at a function organized by NCUI on the occasion of International Day of Cooperatives today said that cooperative is the best model for giving farmers the fair price of their produce.
“You must have trust in cooperatives, then only they can provide good results”, he said. The Symposium was organized with theme “Sustainable Consumption and Production of Goods and Services” under the slogan ‘Sustainable Societies through Cooperation’. International Day of Cooperatives is celebrated on first Saturday of July every year.
A painting competition for children was also organized. Sodhi further emphasized on the need for good political leadership in cooperatives, and also on the need to involve youth in large numbers.
Pointing out that AMUL is the biggest food company with 40,000 crores turnover, he said that cooperative is the solution for small farmers, as cooperative helps in the sustainable development of the farmers.
Jalaj Shrivastava, IAS, Additional Secretary, Government of India, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, speaking on the occasion emphasized on the need to make agricultural cooperatives strong, so that middlemen do not exploit the farmers. He also emphasized on the need for processing of the foodgrain in which the role of cooperatives is important. He further stressed on the benefits of integrated farming.
While delivering the Keynote Address, Harvir Singh, Editor, Outlook Hindi Magazine emphasized on the need for
strong advocacy and lobbying by the cooperative sector. “The cooperatives are neglected in policy-making because of this”, he reiterated. He also emphasized on the need for youth involvement and strong leadership in cooperatives.
Dr. Manoj Nardeosingh, Assistant Secretary General, African Asian Rural Development Organisation (AARDO) said that strong public-private-cooperative partnership is the need of hour. He said that successful model of AMUL can be replicated in other countries.
Prakash P. Naiknavare, M.D., National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories speaking on the occasion said that consumption of sugar is huge in India but per capita consumption here is the lowest.
N. Satyanarayana, Chief Executive, NCUI in his welcome address briefed the delegates about the significance of International Day of Cooperatives, the importance of this year’s theme, etc.
A message on behalf of Regional Director, International Cooperative Alliance – Asia Pacific (ICA – AP) on the occasion of International Cooperative Day 2018 was read by Ms. Anam Mitra, Communication Officer of ICA – AP, New Delhi.
A painting competition for children was organized and as many as 90 Children in the age group 6-15 years participated to draw paintings on any of the theme Agriculture / Farming Area / Nature / Environment / Local People / Family.
The paintings were evaluated by a group of experts and the prizes were distributed by Shri Jalaj Shrivastava, IAS, Additional Secretary, Government of India, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in presence of other dignitaries. The winner of first prize is Master Shubham Samantaray of Gyan Bharti School, Second prize went to Ms. Puja Nardeo Singh of Sadhu Vaswani International School, and third prize to Ms. Adiba Khan of Hamdard Public School. All these paintings of the children will be sent to IE-NO HIKARI Association of Japan for “The 26th Annual World Children’s Picture Contest”.
The symposium was attended by the Managing Directors, Board Members and representatives of Delhi based Cooperative Organizations, Cooperative Managers & Functionaries of different cooperative sectors from Haryana & Delhi State, representatives of Sahakar Bharti, students & teachers of ITI and Sriram College of Commerce, Officers of NCUI, NCCT, TRIFED etc.
The programme was introduced & coordinated by Ritesh Dey, Deputy Director, International Relations Division and Dr. K.N. Sinha, Director of NCUI proposed the vote of thanks.
