Agro-Cooperatives Set to Revolutionize Agriculture in Eastern Bharat

PARTHA ROY, New Delhi/Kolkata: A high-level strategic meeting convened by the Indian Diversified & Sustainable Agriculture Cooperative Ltd. (INDCOOP) in Aerocity, New Delhi, on March 27, 2026, has outlined a roadmap for establishing a Centre of Excellence (CoE) on Cooperative Agriculture. The initiative aims to transform India’s agri-sector through climate-resilient, sustainable, and market-driven practices, with a strong focus on cooperative-led development in Eastern India.

The proposed CoE, envisioned as a national platform, will target key regions including Eastern Uttar Pradesh, North Bengal, Sikkim, and the North Eastern states, known for their rich agro-climatic diversity and untapped potential. It will be headquartered in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah. A second CoE is planned in Siliguri, West Bengal, as highlighted by Ranjan D. Sen of the Jalpaiguri Vivekananda Education Society (JVES).

Dhananjay Kumar Singh, veteran cooperative thinker, Member of the Board of Management at the National Cooperative Development Corporation, and Chairman of INDCOOP, described the CoE as a multi-dimensional institution. It will integrate a technology and knowledge hub, a market integration platform, and a sustainability and carbon management centre. Key priorities include soil and water conservation, reduced chemical usage, enhanced productivity, crop diversification, promotion of medicinal and aromatic plants, and carbon credit-based income for farmers.

International consultant Joachem Rover from Belgium stressed the role of farm mechanisation and technology in boosting produce quality and quantity. Yogendra Kumar, Director (Marketing) at IFFCO and Chairman of Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samity Ltd., noted that the selected locations would effectively cover major agro-climatic zones in Eastern India.

Dr. Sudhakar Pandey, ADG-ICAR, emphasised the need for high-value alternative crops such as medicinal and aromatic plants, spices, and the potential for growing medicinal orchids in the North Eastern Region. Former Vice Chancellor Dr. R.S. Kureel highlighted input support services and market linkages for farmer clusters, FPOs, and Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS).

Ranjan D. Sen advocated for organic farming, certification systems, and carbon sequestration models involving medicinal and aromatic plants to improve farmer livelihoods and ensure transparency. Capt. Govind Kumar Gautam from Dubai underlined the importance of financial institutions and linking produce to international markets.

The meeting was also attended by Alok Pandey, Lalit Beri, Padam Sharma (Chairman, Sikkim Farmers Welfare Board), and other stakeholders. Dhananjay Kumar Singh concluded the session by thanking all participants for their valuable insights.

This initiative is expected to significantly boost cooperative-driven agriculture, enhance farmer incomes, and promote sustainable practices across Eastern India.