Nagaland Governor Nand Kishore Yadav, Minister Jacob Zhimomi along with other officials and particioants during the state celebrated COOPS Day and Cooperative Week at Lok Bhavan, Kohima on July 3.
Kohima, July 3 (MExN): Nagaland Governor Nand Kishore Yadav on Friday emphasised the need for a future-ready cooperative sector embracing technology, youth participation and women-led enterprises, as the state celebrated COOPS Day and Cooperative Week at Lok Bhavan, Kohima.
Speaking as the special guest at the event commemorating five years of the Ministry of Cooperation, the Governor said, “the cooperative movement embodies the spirit of self-help, mutual support and collective action, and has played a transformative role in promoting inclusive growth and empowering communities across the country.”
The occasion marked the International Day of Cooperatives 2026 while also commemorating five years of the Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India, he noted.
Under the vision of “Sahakar Se Samriddhi” (Prosperity through Cooperation), the Ministry has undertaken major initiatives including White Revolution 2.0, strengthening cooperative banking, promotion of the Blue Economy and investments in cooperative education and leadership development, thereby positioning cooperatives as key drivers of an Atmanirbhar Bharat, the Governor said.
Highlighting Nagaland’s potential, Yadav said, “the state has immense opportunities in dairy, fisheries, piggery, handloom and handicrafts and organic agriculture.” He underscored the important role of institutions such as the Nagaland State Cooperative Bank, the State Dairy Cooperative Federation and other cooperative federations in strengthening value chains and expanding market access for farmers and producers.
Calling for a future-ready cooperative sector, the Governor stressed the need to embrace technology, encourage youth participation, empower women-led enterprises and invest in skill development to build professionally managed and market-oriented cooperatives.
He urged all stakeholders to work collectively towards building a prosperous, vibrant and self-reliant Nagaland through the enduring spirit of cooperation, stated a press release issued by PRO Lok Bhavan, Nagaland.
Cooperatives are silent nation-builders
Delivering his address, Minister for Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) & Cooperation, Jacob Zhimomi said that the cooperative sector has been playing a silent yet significant role in nation-building by strengthening grassroots economic development and empowering communities.
Highlighting India’s demographic advantage, Zhimomi said the country’s vast human resource base has made it one of the world’s most attractive markets. He noted that India has emerged as the world’s fourth-largest economy and is poised for further growth. Stressing that economic self-reliance is essential for national strength and independent decision-making, he said the Prime Minister’s vision of Vocal for Local is paving the way towards achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Speaking on Nagaland, he said the cooperative sector would play a pivotal role in the state’s economic development and highlighted the state’s dynamic approach towards promoting digital transactions to ensure transparency and accountability in the cooperative movement.
He added that direct market access from farmers to consumers would eliminate unnecessary intermediaries, ensuring that every stakeholder benefits from the value chain.
Zhimomi informed that a week-long celebration has been planned across the country. In Nagaland, the state government is organising awareness programmes, cleanliness drives, plantation drives, and activities in schools and colleges to instil cooperative values among the younger generation.
231 PACS computerised across Nagaland
Secretary for Cooperation, Orenthung Lotha, in his keynote address, said that to realise the vision of “Prosperity through Cooperation” envisioned by the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Cooperation was established on July 6, 2021.
He stated that under the leadership of the country’s first Union Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, the Ministry has introduced 61 landmark initiatives within a short period to strengthen and revitalise the cooperative sector.
He said that the cooperative movement in Nagaland stands at an important juncture where innovation and institutional strengthening must go hand in hand. Emphasising the importance of technology, he noted that the future of cooperatives in the state lies in embracing digital transformation to enhance transparency, efficiency, financial inclusion and service delivery.
Lotha informed that 231 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) have been computerised across Nagaland, enabling them to streamline operations, improve transparency and provide better services to their members.
He expressed concern that a considerable number of cooperative societies remain dormant or non-functional, limiting the full realisation of this potential. Calling for renewed efforts, he stressed the urgent need to revive and strengthen dormant cooperatives by enhancing institutional capacities.
Lotha further informed that the formulation of a comprehensive State Cooperative Policy would provide a roadmap for implementing programmes and projects more effectively.
Four model cooperative societies inaugurated
Earlier, the Governor virtually inaugurated four Model Cooperative Society Offices - Thenumia Kehou Multipurpose PACS Ltd., Vidima Village, Chümoukedima; Shurho Multipurpose PACS Ltd., Kigwema Village, Kohima; Chedema Multipurpose PACS Ltd., Chedema Village, Kohima; and Punglwa B Village Women Livelihood & Credit Cooperative Society Ltd., Punglwa B Village, Peren.
Bendang Longkumer delivered the welcome address, and a short video presentation highlighting the achievements of the Department of Cooperation over the past five years was screened.
The programme also featured experience sharing sessions by successful rural cooperative members. Ladongwati, Managing Committee Member of Sungben Tsuyonger PACS, Tuli, Mokokchung, and Mongshai, Chairperson of Khiamnnyaan PACS, Noklak Village, shared their experiences on how cooperative societies have contributed to improving rural livelihoods and empowering local communities.
