Bhubaneswar: The 3rd State-Level Cooperative Development Committee (SCDC) meeting was held on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja at the Conference Hall of Lok Seva Bhawan. The meeting focused on preparations for celebrating the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) 2025, as declared by the United Nations General Assembly.
According to an official press release, IYC-2025 will be observed under the theme “Cooperatives for a Better World,” aligning with the goal of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The cooperative model is seen as a key instrument in addressing global challenges.
The Prime Minister of India has already launched the IYC-2025 celebrations at the national level, and the Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India, has issued guidelines for state-wide observances. Following this directive, the Odisha government has planned a series of programs spanning March to December 2025 to promote cooperative development across the state.
During the meeting, Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Cooperation Department, presented a proposal for organizing year-long activities at the state, district, and grassroots levels. The Chief Minister will chair the State High-Level Committee overseeing the celebrations, while the SCDC, led by the Chief Secretary, will monitor the planning and execution of state-level activities. District-level Cooperative Development Committees will oversee and coordinate local programs.
The Chief Secretary emphasized the need for structural and managerial reforms in the cooperative sector, particularly to support farmers and the agricultural community. A comprehensive media strategy will also be implemented to ensure widespread awareness of the planned activities.
Throughout 2025, Odisha will host a variety of programs, including discussion forums, workshops, and expert meetings on cooperative development. Awareness programs, debates, and quiz competitions will be organized in schools, colleges, and universities to engage young minds in the cooperative movement. Special initiatives will be launched to enhance women’s participation in cooperative activities, reinforcing their role in the sector. The state will also witness the foundation stone laying and inauguration of multiple cooperative projects, reflecting the government’s commitment to strengthening the cooperative model.
Street plays and awareness campaigns will be conducted at village and panchayat levels to educate the public on the benefits of cooperatives. The government will deploy “Samabaya Raths” or Cooperative Awareness Chariots to travel across districts, promoting cooperative activities and fostering engagement. Farmer camps will be organized to educate and encourage farmers to increase cooperative activities and membership. Additionally, state-level training programs will be conducted to transform cooperative societies into multifaceted organizations, ensuring their sustainability and growth.
Outstanding cooperative societies will be honored in state-level events, and model Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS) will be inaugurated to set benchmarks for best practices in the sector.
The meeting was attended by senior officials, including Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Principal Secretary of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Department; Sanjay Kumar Singh, Principal Secretary of Panchayati Raj, Food Supplies, Consumer Welfare, and Information & Public Relations Departments; along with the Director of Agriculture, Director of Horticulture, and other committee members.
With a strong focus on cooperative development, Odisha is gearing up for an extensive and inclusive celebration of IYC-2025, fostering awareness and participation at all levels.
