PM Targets India to Become 3rd Largest Economy and Developed Nation by 2047: Amit Shah

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has outlined two major objectives—elevating India to the position of the third-largest economy and transforming it into a fully developed nation by 2047, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah stated on Monday.

Amit Shah further said that many significant progress has been made in Gujarat, and this must be expanded nationwide. 4. (Photo: PTI)

He emphasized the crucial role of the dairy sector in driving the nation's progress, enhancing nutrition, and supporting rural communities, including landless and small-scale farmers. He also noted that India's agricultural framework is primarily centered around small farmers.

At the press conference, Shah stated, "Our dairy sector accelerates the development of the country, but at the same time, it has a huge contribution in making the rural areas, landless farmers and small farmers prosperous. It takes care of the nutrition of our country... Prime Minister Modi has set 2 goals before us, which include becoming the third largest economy in the world and becoming a fully developed nation by 2047... The agricultural system of our country is in a way based on small farmers ..."

"So, we have no other option except dairy. There are very few options, and I believe this seminar will be instrumental in adopting a holistic approach to explore all possibilities in the dairy sector. Over the last ten years, we have made a promising start towards prosperity in farming. The courage to move from village to global has grown, and new methods have been developed. The confidence to succeed as a group is rising through cooperatives, and the entire chain--from farm to factory--should remain within the rural landscape,” Shah stated during the event.

While addressing the press conference, he stated, "We have made significant strides in realizing three key principles: power from the government, cooperation from the government, and prosperity from the government. You all know that cooperatives aim for profit, but alongside that, our objective remains 'people first.'"

The concept of 'profit for people' can be effectively achieved through cooperatives. At the launch of this program, a guide on circularity in the dairy sector was introduced. Additionally, NDDB unveiled financial assistance schemes for small biogas, large biogas, and compressed biogas projects, along with initiatives under NDDB and Sustain Plus.

"I want to add to the concept of circularity, as our minister has suggested, to explore 100 per cent potential in the dairy sector. I request NDDB and NABARD to introduce pilot schemes in some districts or states within a short span--perhaps six months," the Union Minister added.

Shah said, " Models for gas production in different regions should be examined, and a time-bound program should be established to implement such models across all 250 district milk-producing associations within two years. No district with a milk producers' association should be without a gas production project involving local farmers. I believe this is the responsibility of NDDB and NABARD--NDDB should arrange logistics, and NABARD should formulate a financing plan."

All types of animal feed must be integrated into our network, regardless of whether an animal owner supplies milk to a private or cooperative dairy. Currently, our network is incomplete and requires expansion, beginning with the inclusion of high-quality seeds.

Shah emphasized that Gujarat has made remarkable progress, which should now be scaled nationwide. Similar advancements have occurred in various parts of the country, making it essential for all 250 district associations to adopt a standardized model. Additionally, cooperatives should extend their focus to animal health and nutrition, including livestock outside the cooperative dairy network.

Even when milk is supplied to the private sector, we can still ensure high-quality animal care, superior fodder, and better feed production. This will ultimately boost milk productivity, strengthen the cooperative network, and encourage greater participation. In Gujarat, we have successfully implemented micro ATMs in rural dairies in Banaskantha and Panchmahal, benefiting numerous animal breeders and increasing cooperative sector deposits by approximately Rs 7,700 crores. NABARD should now replicate this model across all district unions.

"We have introduced 'cooperation among cooperatives' in Gujarat, ensuring that all accounts are opened within the cooperative sector. Today, 93 per cent of Gujarat's cooperative institutions hold accounts in cooperative banks, leading to automatic fund availability at lower interest rates. This has also strengthened the banking system. I understand that professionals in the cooperative sector sometimes question the professionalism of cooperative banks. But instead of distancing ourselves, we must work together to improve the system," Shah stated at the conference.

To attain complete circular economic growth, collaboration among cooperatives is crucial. When discussing circularity, I emphasize that all dairy-related machinery, from fat-measuring devices to other essential equipment, should be manufactured domestically in India. This principle of circularity also implies that no equipment should be imported.

Amit Shah added, "NDDB must ensure that machinery production efforts involve all cooperatives, allowing district milk-producing unions to hold a share in these ventures. The profit must return to the cooperative sector. While NDDB holds the major stake, district milk-producing unions--who are also consumers--should receive a share in these initiatives.”

(This Article was originally published by Business Standard)