Cooperatives Should Regain Confidence: Tummala

 Hyderabad: Agriculture and cooperative minister Tummala Nageswara Rao said the government was mulling the formation of an organisation under the cooperative sector for producing seeds and distribution of produce cultivated through natural farming. He informed that steps were being taken to strengthen the cooperative sector by regaining the confidence of people to suit present day needs.

He was addressing a meeting of NCDC (National Cooperative Development Corporation) Regional Award for cooperative excellence and merit 2023. He gave Rs 25,000 as awards to five cooperatives. He stressed the need for strengthening the 125 year old sector and called on them to work as a team to come to a common opinion.

“There are 60,759 cooperative societies in the state. Of them 908 are primary cooperative societies, 24,539 are consumer and saving societies among others. Farmers are intricately linked to the activities of these societies and play an important role in the economy. They have a share of 20 percent in giving loans and 60 per cent in fertiliser distribution. They also play a pivotal role in procurement of paddy, milk and fisheries. There is a need to hold elections, introduce computerization, identify active members and bring in transparency and accountability,” Nageswara Rao said.

Citing the example of cooperative society in Mulkanoor, he said, comprehensive development is possible only through cooperatives. “The cooperatives should now brace up to competition. We are mulling bringing insurance, processing, storage and services under them as better services can be delivered through them. A database will be created to develop the sector,” he said. Nageswara Rao congratulated the PACS in Kalvasrirampur, Parkal, Mahadevpur, Appannapet and Jeedimetla representatives.

The minister made a surprise visit to the agriculture commissioner office on Thursday and chided employees who were late. He sought a report from the director on the issue.