On May 18, 2025, a grand cooperative summit took place at Science City in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. This event was led by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who was joined by the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Bhupendra Patel, and the Minister of Cooperation, Jagdish Vishwakarma. The summit attracted around 4,500 representatives from various cooperative institutions at the village, taluka, district, and state levels.
The United Nations has declared 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives. This summit was organized by the Gujarat State Cooperative Union to highlight the importance of cooperation in enhancing economic growth and prosperity. Amit Shah emphasized the need to strengthen the cooperative movement under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Prosperity through Cooperation.’
During the summit, various initiatives and projects in the cooperative sector were discussed. Amit Shah mentioned that the cooperative sector has a significant role in India’s development. He stated that the aim of the summit is to engage various cooperative organizations across the state in achieving the goals outlined by the Prime Minister.
The summit also served as a platform for experts to provide guidance on the development, management, and operational aspects of cooperative institutions. The focus was on how the Ministry of Cooperation’s initiatives can benefit these organizations.
In Gujarat, there are more than 89,000 cooperative institutions with about 17 million members. This indicates the vast reach and influence of the cooperative movement in the state. Shah noted that the cooperative structure is essential for reaching even the most remote villages, where farmers benefit from various cooperatives.
The cooperative summit not only aimed to strengthen existing institutions but also to encourage new initiatives. Amit Shah announced plans to register two lakh primary cooperative societies by 2029 and emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in cooperative management.
The Chief Minister, Bhupendra Patel, praised the cooperative movement’s contributions to the nation and mentioned that the government is committed to ensuring that even the most marginalized members of society can benefit from these initiatives. He highlighted the success of ‘Operation Sindoor,’ which celebrated the Indian Army’s achievements, and linked it to the cooperative movement’s goals.
The summit concluded with the launch of a guidebook titled ‘Cooperative Resolution,’ which outlines the future direction for cooperative institutions in Gujarat. The event was attended by many dignitaries, including chairpersons of various cooperative organizations and government officials, all united in their commitment to enhancing the cooperative landscape in India.
Overall, the Cooperative Summit 2025 served as an important step in strengthening the cooperative sector, fostering collaboration, and promoting the growth of cooperative institutions across Gujarat and beyond.
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