Author: SahkarNet

In a step towards advancing global cooperation in scientific research, NDDB Dairy Services (NDS)—a wholly-owned subsidiary of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB)—has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the School of Applied Biological Sciences, Hiroshima University, Japan. The collaboration aims to promote joint research, academic exchange, and innovation in the field of animal reproductive science, a crucial area for improving dairy productivity and genetic quality in livestock. The MoU was signed by Dr. C.P. Devanand, Managing Director, NDS, and Dr. Masayuki Shimada, Dean, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University. The signing ceremony took place…

In a fresh push to women’s economic empowerment, the Karnataka government is set to expand the scope of its flagship Gruha Lakshmi scheme by introducing a cooperative model that enables financial self-reliance. Beneficiaries of the scheme will soon be eligible for low-interest loans up to ₹3 lakh under the newly formed Gruha Lakshmi Multipurpose Cooperative Society, scheduled for launch on November 19 at Bengaluru’s Kanteerava Stadium. Announcing the initiative, Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar said, “We have successfully implemented Gruha Lakshmi, one of the largest social welfare programmes in the world. To take it a step further, we…

In a significant development in Karnataka’s cooperative banking sector, former Member of Parliament and BJP leader Anna Saheb Jolle has been elected as the President of the Belagavi District Central Cooperative Bank (BDCC Bank). Congress MLA Bharamgouda Alagouda (Raju) Kage was elected as the Vice-President. Both leaders were elected unopposed, as no other nominations were filed before the deadline, marking a smooth conclusion to the much-anticipated election process. The BDCC Bank elections, closely watched for their political implications, were not officially contested on party lines. However, two prominent groups — the Jolle-Jarkiholi panel and the Katti-Savadi panel — emerged as…

The initiative aims to expand access to affordable credit through the cooperative model. At the Co-Op Kumbh 2025 in New Delhi, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah announced the government’s target to establish an Urban Cooperative Bank (UCB) in every city with a population exceeding two lakh within the next five years. The initiative, part of the ‘Delhi Declaration 2025’, aims to expand access to affordable credit and strengthen local entrepreneurship through the cooperative model. The move marks a strategic decentralization of banking services, ensuring that small traders, youth, and self-help groups have access to institutional finance…

At the international conference Co-Op Kumbh 2025 in New Delhi, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, launched two groundbreaking digital platforms — ‘Sahkar Digi-Pay’ and ‘Sahkar Digi-Loan’ — to accelerate the digital transformation of India’s cooperative banking ecosystem. Developed under the umbrella organization of Urban Cooperative Banks, the new apps will enable even the smallest cooperative banks to offer secure digital payment and loan services. Shah stated that these platforms would become symbols of the cooperative sector’s participation in the nation’s ongoing digital revolution. Analytically, the move represents a strategic modernization effort—aligning with the government’s broader vision…

Dargaville (New Zealand): Dr. Meenesh Shah, Chairman of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and Indian Immunologicals Ltd (IIL), attended the 10th anniversary celebration of Pristine Biologicals (NZ) Ltd (PBNL) — a subsidiary of IIL — marking a decade of excellence in vaccine raw material manufacturing and India–New Zealand collaboration. The event was graced by Mr. Andrew Hoggard, Hon’ble Minister for Biosecurity, Environment & Associate Minister for Agriculture, Government of New Zealand, as Chief Guest, alongside dignitaries including Hon. Jonathan Larsen, Mayor of Dargaville; Dr. K. Anand Kumar, MD, IIL; and officials from India’s Consulate, MPI New Zealand, and Silver…

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah today addressed the international conference on the urban cooperative credit sector, “Co-Op Kumbh 2025,” in New Delhi, underscoring the government’s commitment to modernizing India’s cooperative ecosystem. The ‘Delhi Declaration 2025’ Organized by NAFCUB, the event marks a significant milestone in the International Year of Cooperatives, with the adoption of the ‘Delhi Declaration 2025’ — a strategic roadmap for expanding Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs) across India. Highlighting the sector’s rapid transformation, Shah announced that within the next five years, an Urban Cooperative Bank will be established in every city with a population exceeding…

With the objective to strengthen the cooperative movement at the grassroots level, Tripura’s Minister for Industry and Commerce, Santana Chakma, chaired a preparatory meeting in Dhalai district ahead of the 72nd All India Cooperative Week celebrations scheduled from November 14 to 20, 2025. The meeting brought together senior officials, district administrators, and representatives of cooperative societies to finalise arrangements for the state-level celebration. Discussions focused on ensuring wider participation of primary cooperative societies, planning awareness programmes, and highlighting the success stories of Tripura’s cooperative initiatives. Minister Santana Chakma emphasised that the cooperative model remains a vital tool for rural development,…

In the heart of Telangana’s tribal belt, a group of determined Adivasi women from Utnoor in Kumuram Bheem–Asifabad district have turned traditional knowledge into a ₹1.27 crore success story. The Bheem Bhai Tribal Women’s Cooperative Society is an inspiring example of tribal entrepreneurship, women empowerment, and sustainable livelihoods powered by cooperation. With the guidance of the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) Utnoor and TRICOR, this all-women cooperative transformed a forest flower into a profitable product line that supports over 100 tribal families. Their innovation — the nutritious Ipappuvvu laddu — has become a symbol of how cooperative enterprise can change…

The Government of India notified on Saturday new Rules for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), marking a major policy shift toward sustainable marine resource management and cooperative-led growth. These rules align with the vision of a prosperous and inclusive Blue Economy, with a particular focus on empowering small-scale fisheries, Fishermen Cooperatives and Fish Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs). Boosting Cooperative and Community-Led Deep-Sea Fishing Under the new framework, priority access is granted to fishermen cooperatives and FFPOs for deep-sea fishing operations. This move aims to enhance productivity, value addition, and seafood exports through better traceability and…