Gujarat State Cooperative Bank (GSC Bank) has made significant strides in supporting farmers and livestock owners in the region. In six months, the bank has opened over 2.7 million new accounts for these individuals. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance financial inclusion in rural areas.
The recent meeting in Gandhinagar was chaired by Minister of Cooperation Jagdish Vishwakarma. He welcomed a delegation from Tripura, including their Cooperation Minister Shukl Charan Noatia. The meeting aimed to share insights on Gujarat’s cooperative model, which has been successful in improving the livelihoods of farmers and livestock owners.
During the meeting, Minister Vishwakarma highlighted the achievements of Gujarat under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah. He mentioned how the cooperative sector has flourished, benefiting many stakeholders involved in agriculture and livestock management.
The Tripura delegation expressed interest in adopting similar cooperative practices to enhance their rural economy. They aim to create more employment opportunities for farmers and livestock owners in their state. Minister Noatia noted that Gujarat has set a high standard in the cooperative sector, which they hope to emulate.
The GSC Bank has been proactive in providing various banking services to rural communities. Currently, more than 87% of the state’s village panchayats have access to banking services. These services include opening bank accounts, crop loans, and micro-ATM facilities, which are designed to be accessible without the need for villagers to travel far.
Registrar Mitesh Pandya shared that there are over 89,000 cooperative societies in Gujarat, with more than 1.8 crore members. The cooperative sector includes dairy production committees, housing service committees, and many more entities, which play a crucial role in the state’s economy.
The bank’s CEO, Pradeep Vora, reiterated the commitment to expanding financial services to rural populations. With the opening of these new accounts, more farmers and livestock owners can access financial resources, enabling them to invest in their livelihoods.
Amul Federation’s MD, Jayen Mehta, also spoke about the success of women’s dairy cooperatives. He noted that many women are involved in managing dairy cooperatives, contributing significantly to the overall milk production in the state.
The meeting concluded with a visit by the Tripura delegation to several cooperative institutions, including Amul Dairy and GSC Bank, to gather more information about operating successful cooperative models.
Overall, the efforts by GSC Bank and the cooperation ministry reflect a strong commitment to improving the economic conditions of rural communities in Gujarat. By facilitating access to banking services, the government aims to empower farmers and livestock owners, ensuring they can thrive in their respective industries.