Prime Minister Narendra Modi has suggested many new business ideas for the cooperatives and sought their support in reducing the dependence on imports during an event held in Bharat Mandapam on Saturday.
“There are many new areas where cooperatives of the country can expand their footprints. Co-ops can enter into those businesses which we are importing from other countries. Our country is called an agricultural country but unfortunately the worth of thousand crore of rupee edible oil is being imported every year”, Modi asserted.
The PM suggested, cooperative sector can engage themselves in the business of edible oil. Similarly, they can enter the ethanol business, which will reduce the dependency on oil imports for energy. In the last 10, the production of ethanol has increased by many times.
Co-ops can also work on producing the pulses, which we are importing from other countries. Besides, many items related to manufacturing are being imported from other countries but with the help of cooperatives we can make it in India, Modi underlined.
The Prime Minister also underlined the role of the cooperatives in natural farming and encouraged farmers in this connection.
He asked the cooperative to come forward in global branding of the products being made by the small farmers and cooperatives.
