National Agri-Exports Potential: Cooperatives Unleashed Other: Exploring Cooperatives’ Agri-Exports Potential 2023

National Agri-Exports Potential: Cooperatives Unleashed Other: Exploring Cooperatives’ Agri-Exports Potential 2023

Cooperatives have long been recognized for their role in empowering local communities, facilitating access to markets, and ensuring sustainable practices in agriculture.

With the global market for agri-exports expanding significantly, there’s an increasing need to explore the potential of cooperatives in this domain.

Cooperatives are member-owned entities that prioritize the needs and interests of their members. In the agricultural sector, cooperatives have traditionally focused on procurement, storage, processing, and distribution of produce.

They serve as a bridge between individual farmers and larger markets, ensuring fair prices and fostering a sense of community.

More than 1,000 cooperative members will take part in a nationwide symposium on Monday to discuss how to best use the potential of the recently founded nationwide Cooperative for Exports Limited (NCEL) to increase agricultural product exports.

According to a press release, cooperation minister Amit Shah will introduce the NCEL’s logo, website, and brochure at the meeting and hand out membership certificates. The Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (Amul), the Indian Farmers’ Fertiliser Cooperative (Iffco), the Krishak Bharti Cooperative (Kribhco), the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (Nafed), and the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) are the four leading cooperatives that jointly promote NCEL.

By signing up a sizable number of co-operatives, NCEL, which concentrates on exports of agricultural and related products as well as handloom and handicrafts items, hopes to quadruple its revenue from its present level of roughly ‘2,160 crore by 2025.

Most recently, NCEL, which was registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002, has been given the majority of white rice export orders authorised under the government-to-government (G2G) method.

Through NCEL, the government last week authorised the export of 1.34 million tonnes of non-basmati white rice to seven nations in Asia and Africa, including the Philippines, Malaysia, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, and Nepal. In September, the government authorised the export of 75,000 tonnes of non-basmati rice to the United Arab Emirates.

Through the newly established organisation, the government had authorised the shipment of 0.14 MT of white rice in August to Bhutan (79,000 tonne), Singapore (50,000 tonne), and Mauritius (14000 tonne).

The global demand for agricultural products is on the rise, fueled by population growth, changing consumption patterns, and a growing emphasis on sustainable and organic farming practices. Countries with strong agricultural bases stand to benefit immensely from this surge in demand.

One of the primary discussions revolved around the untapped potential for diversifying exportable agricultural products. While certain commodities like rice, wheat, and tea have traditionally dominated the export charts, there’s a growing demand for niche products, including organic fruits, herbs, and spices.

The importance of adhering to global standards for quality and safety was emphasized. Cooperatives can play a crucial role by facilitating training, certification, and quality checks for their member farmers.

For cooperatives to thrive in the agri-exports market, there’s a need for better infrastructure – from cold storage facilities to efficient logistics and transportation.

Governmental support in the form of favorable policies, subsidies, and grants can boost the competitiveness of cooperatives in the global market.Despite their significance, cooperatives often struggle to secure financing for expansion and modernization.

There’s a pronounced need for knowledge transfer regarding global market dynamics, consumer preferences, and regulatory requirements.The adoption of modern technologies, from digital platforms to advanced farming techniques, remains a challenge for many cooperatives.

Regular training sessions and workshops can equip cooperatives with the necessary skills and knowledge to tap into global markets effectively.Building ties with global buyers, distributors, and retail chains can help cooperatives bypass intermediaries and fetch better prices.

Cooperatives can leverage branding to highlight the uniqueness, quality, and sustainability of their produce. Investing in research and development can help cooperatives introduce innovative products and farming practices.

The National Meet on Agri-Exports Potential of Cooperatives underlined the vast opportunities waiting to be harnessed.

While challenges exist, with collective effort, strategic planning, and robust support from stakeholders, cooperatives can indeed revolutionize the global agri-exports landscape.

As these entities continue to evolve and adapt, they hold the promise of not only uplifting their member farmers but also contributing significantly to the nation’s economic growth.