Cooperation Minister Amit Shah introduced the ‘Bharat Organics’ brand, a product of the recently established National Cooperative Organics Ltd (NCOL). He emphasized that it will become a highly reputable brand in both India and worldwide markets. During the launch event, Shah also unveiled NCOL’s logo, website, and brochure, while presenting NCOL membership certificates to five cooperative societies.
Speaking at the national symposium on promoting organic products through cooperatives, Shah highlighted NCOL’s role as a platform for organic growers. He launched six organic products under the ‘Bharat Organics’ brand, including tur dal, chana dal, sugar, rajma, basmati rice, and Sonamasoori rice. These products will be available in Mother Dairy’s Safal outlets and through online platforms, with plans to expand the retail network across the country. Initially, NCOL will focus on selling these organic products in India before expanding to international markets.
Amit Shah also revealed that approximately 50% of the profits from the sale of organic products through NCOL will directly benefit member farmers. Several dignitaries, including the Minister of State for Cooperation B L Verma, Cooperation Secretary Gnanesh Kumar, and NDDB chairman Minesh C Shah, were present at the event.
NCOL, headquartered in Gujarat and primarily promoted by the National Dairy Development Board, was established under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, of 2002. NCOL’s goal is to cover the entire organic product supply chain through cooperative networks, including activities like aggregation, certification, production, testing, procurement, storage, processing, branding, packaging, labeling, and marketing, ultimately benefiting farmer members.
India holds a significant position in organic agriculture, with practices in 190 countries and ranking fourth globally in organic agricultural land. In 2020, India had 27 lakh hectares of land under certified organic certification, producing 29 lakh tonnes of certified organic products in 2022-23. Export of organic produce reached 3,12,000 tonnes in 2022-23, valued at Rs 5,525 crore, primarily to the US, EU, Canada, and other nations. States like Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and the North Eastern region are leaders in certified organic land.
NCOL is one of the three new cooperatives recently established by the government, focusing on certified seeds, exports, and organic products. Across the country, there are 7.89 crore cooperative societies with a total membership of 29 crore, making cooperatives an essential part of India’s economic landscape.
