By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, JULY 02, 2019: THE Union Minister of Commerce & Industry and Railways, Mr Piyush Goyal, today called for a Mass Movement to strengthen the cooperative sector in agriculture. Addressing the gathering at the curtain raiser event of India International Cooperatives Trade Fair (IICTF) here today, he stressed upon the need for both Ministries of Commerce and Agriculture to work in close coordination to tap the true potential of the cooperative sector.

Mr Goyal underlined the need to make farmers and agriculture-based industries self-reliant. He stated that in the three consultations held with the Minister of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Mr Narendra Singh Tomar, after the formation of this Government, both Ministries had committed to establish a framework to double farm exports from Rs 2.75 lakh crore to about Rs 7 lakh crore by 2024-2025. Mr Goyal also announced that a Cooperative Sector Export Promotion Forum would be established as an exchange platform for the cooperatives in India.

Recalling the contribution of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in consolidating the cooperative movement of farmers, Mr Goyal stated that agriculture is the priority sector for the Government and it is committed to double the income of the farmers by 2022. Mr Goyal said that IICTF is a unique concept and opportunity which would take the mass movement of farm cooperatives to an international level. On this occasion, Mr Goyal released the brochure of IICTF to be held from October 11-13, 2019 in New Delhi. The Commerce & Industry Minister also informed that tribal cooperatives would be provided special concessions in the Trade Fair.