How do co-ops build a better world?
Cooperatives Build a Better World due to their inherent properties which include equality, democracy, autonomy, and concern for the community.
Operating in diverse sectors worldwide, co-operatives have consistently shown resilience in times of economic crises, tackling poverty alleviation, food security, and employment generation. It has immense potential to deliver goods and services at the grassroots level, fight against environmental degradation and climate change, and keep financial capital within local communities. If the world recognises the profound impact of co-operatives and their role in the holistic development of members and the environment, many of the global challenges we face today could be effectively addressed.
One of the most notable examples of the co-operative model’s success is the Indian co-operative movement, which is the largest in the world and has been instrumental in achieving various economic and social goals, particularly in rural and underserved areas. It has become a powerful tool for poverty reduction, agricultural development, and economic empowerment.
What should the International Year of Cooperatives achieve – and how is your organisation working towards that?
The IYC2025 should raise awareness about co-operatives and their contributions to sustainable development; promote research and innovation; build stronger networks among co-operatives, practitioners, and advocates; provide a marketing platform and create opportunities for cooperatives to showcase and sell their products on a larger platforms; encourage collaborations of cooperatives with governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and international institutions; and increase the participation of youth and women in co-operatives.
At IFFCO we have some big plans for the International Year:
We aim to increase the number of IFFCO member co-operative societies to 50,000, by starting membership drives in states where member co-op societies are in small numbers. The objective of this campaign is to increase participation and strengthen the co-operative movement.
IFFCO’s mother plant at Kalol has completed its glorious journey of 50 years of uninterrupted operations. On the occasion of this significant achievement of five decades of dedicated service and excellent operations, the IFFCO Kalol plant will be rededicated to the nation, farmers, and cooperatives during the International Year of Cooperatives 2025.
Through nanofertilisers, our aim is to reduce the use of chemical fertilisers in agriculture and promote environmental conservation
With the collaboration of FRI, Dehradun, new varieties of neem are being developed, which will have higher oil production (up to 43.51%) and increased levels of azadirachtin. This will provide additional income to the farmers.
In line with the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of strengthening India’s Blue Economy, IFFCO will expand the Sagarika plant. The increased production of seaweed as a raw material for Sagarika will empower fisherfolk and fish farmers.
To achieve the goal of carbon neutrality, IFFCO will plant an equal number of trees to offset the emissions generated by its employees’ travel throughout the year. This initiative will not only reduce our carbon footprint but also have a positive impact on the environment.
