Jammu, October 3, 2025 – In a significant push towards fostering #SahakarSeSamriddhi (Prosperity Through Cooperation), the Department of Cooperatives, #JammuAndKashmir, organized a one-day Stakeholders Meet at the Convention Centre in Jammu today. The event culminated in the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with three prominent multi-state cooperative societies—National Cooperative Export Limited (NCEL), National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL), and Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Limited (BBSSL)—aimed at bolstering #CooperativeSector development and empowering local cooperatives.Commissioner Secretary of the Cooperative Department, Babila Rakwal, who served as the Chief Guest, emphasized the strategic importance of these partnerships.
“This collaborative initiative marks a pivotal step towards enhancing market access, capacity-building, and sustainable livelihoods for farmers and cooperative members across Jammu and Kashmir,” Rakwal stated during her address. She highlighted how the MoUs align with national goals of #AtmanirbharBharat by promoting self-reliance in agriculture, seed production, and organic exports.The agreements were formalized between apex cooperative bodies of Jammu and Kashmir—represented by Registrar Cooperative Societies J&K, Mohammad Shafiq Chak, and Additional Registrar Jammu, Bal Krishan—and officials from NCEL, NCOL, and BBSSL. These MoUs focus on key areas such as seed distribution, organic farming promotion, and export linkages, enabling local Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) to access technical expertise, financial support, and broader markets.The meet drew participation from a diverse array of stakeholders, including officers from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), and allied departments. Representatives from Unati Agri Allied and Marketing Multistate Cooperative Society Limited also joined, underscoring the event’s role in building a robust cooperative ecosystem.
In addition to the MoU signings, Rakwal distributed certificates to young achievers in the cooperative sector and presented mementos to the representatives of NCEL, NCOL, BBSSL, and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI). The event resonated with the theme of collective growth, with discussions centering on overcoming challenges like limited market reach and skill gaps through targeted interventions.This development comes amid ongoing efforts by the #JammuAndKashmir administration to strengthen its 61 registered FPOs—32 in the Jammu Division and 29 in Kashmir—fostering transparency, accountability, and farmer-centric initiatives. Experts view these MoUs as a catalyst for #SustainableAgriculture, potentially increasing seed production, reducing import dependency, and boosting rural economies in the region.The Stakeholders Meet reaffirms the Cooperative Department’s commitment to inclusive growth, positioning #JammuAndKashmir as a frontrunner in cooperative-led development. Further details on implementation and training programs are expected in the coming weeks.
