New Delhi/Gandhinagar: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah will chair a high-level “Manthan” Meeting of Cooperation Ministers from States and Union Territories on February 17, 2026, at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The meeting aims to accelerate reforms in the cooperative sector and strengthen its role in driving rural economic growth.
The Ministry of Cooperation has been working under the broader vision of “Sahkar se Samriddhi”, emphasising prosperity through cooperation. The Manthan Meeting is expected to review progress, identify challenges and outline a coordinated roadmap for the future.
Focus on Expanding PACS and Rural Infrastructure
A key agenda item will be the establishment of two lakh new Multi-Purpose Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), dairy cooperatives and fisheries societies. These institutions are seen as critical instruments to enhance rural credit access, improve farm incomes and create employment opportunities.
Discussions will also examine the rollout of modern warehouse infrastructure under what is described as the world’s largest grain storage initiative. The move is aimed at strengthening storage capacity, stabilising prices and improving farmers’ access to markets.
Strengthening National Cooperative Institutions
The meeting will review the functioning and expansion of newly formed national-level cooperative institutions, including the National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL), National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL), and Bharatiya Beej Sahkari Samiti Limited (BBSSL).
These entities are designed to empower cooperatives in exports, promote organic farming and ensure quality seed supply across the country. States are expected to share their expectations and outline collaborative strategies for wider participation.
Legal Reforms and Cooperative Banking
Time-bound reforms in State cooperative laws will be a major point of discussion. The Centre has encouraged States to align their legal frameworks with the 97th Constitutional Amendment to ensure greater autonomy, democratic functioning and accountability of cooperative societies.
The Manthan Meeting will also deliberate on challenges faced by cooperative banks. Strengthening Shared Service Entities (SSE) and umbrella structures is expected to improve operational efficiency and financial sustainability within the cooperative banking ecosystem.
Dairy Sustainability and Sugar Mills
Another priority area is enhancing the economic viability of cooperative sugar mills and promoting sustainability in the dairy sector. Discussions will explore circular economy practices and the formation of new dairy cooperative societies in collaboration with leading institutions such as Amul and the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).
Efforts to boost pulses and maize production through cooperative networks are also expected to be part of the deliberations, reflecting a broader push to strengthen agricultural self-reliance.
Digitisation, HR Development and Awareness
Digitisation of PACS and Registrar of Cooperative Societies (RCS) offices will be reviewed, along with utilisation of the National Cooperative Database. Officials are likely to discuss how technology can improve transparency, governance and service delivery.
Human resource development and training will form a significant component of the agenda. The effective implementation of schemes of the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) will also be examined to ensure that benefits reach grassroots members.
The meeting will further focus on expanding cooperative membership and designing communication strategies to raise awareness about cooperative initiatives among rural communities.
Strengthening Cooperative Federalism
The Manthan Meeting is expected to reinforce the spirit of cooperative federalism by promoting closer coordination between the Centre and the States. By pooling experiences and best practices, policymakers aim to create a unified and forward-looking strategy for the cooperative sector.
Officials believe that a stronger cooperative ecosystem can act as a powerful engine for rural prosperity, employment generation and inclusive development. Further details regarding the meeting and related initiatives are available on the Press Information Bureau website (https://pib.gov.in) and the Ministry of Cooperation portal (https://cooperation.gov.in).
As deliberations unfold in Gandhinagar, the outcomes of the Manthan Meeting are expected to shape the next phase of cooperative reforms in India.
