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**NEWS ARTICLE**

**India Celebrates Cooperative Movement’s Century-Long Legacy**

**New Delhi, July 5, 2025** – As India observes International Day of Cooperatives, a look back at the nation’s rich history of cooperative societies reveals their crucial role in economic development and social upliftment. With roots stretching back over a century, these collaborative organizations have been instrumental in empowering communities, particularly in rural areas.

Prior to formal legislation, cooperation thrived in India through community-managed resources and informal financial structures. Recognizing the plight of farmers facing economic hardship in the late 19th century, the government enacted the Cooperative Credit Societies Act in 1904, laying the groundwork for the modern cooperative movement. The first cooperative society was established in Tirur, Tamil Nadu, that same year.

The movement expanded significantly in the early 20th century, encompassing various sectors like handloom weaving and housing. However, a turning point arrived with the establishment of the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd., better known as Amul. Amul, born from the collective efforts of dairy farmers in Anand and Kheda, revolutionized the dairy industry, empowering farmers and ensuring access to affordable, high-quality products for consumers.

The “Amul model,” with its three-tiered structure connecting village cooperatives, district cooperatives, and a state federation, has become a global example of successful cooperative organization. It provided farmers with access to technology, bargaining power, financial services, and improved livelihoods.

Today, India boasts the highest number of cooperative societies globally, with over 800,000 organizations spanning 29 sectors. The cooperative sector has played a significant role in promoting financial inclusion, job creation, and economic growth, particularly in rural communities where agriculture and dairy farming are dominant. Government initiatives, such as the computerization of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), are further strengthening and expanding the cooperative network. As India looks to the future, the cooperative model remains a vital tool for sustainable development and community empowerment.

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