IFFCO played ‘big role in India’s self reliance in food’, Amit Shah in Gujarat

“The 50 years of proud journey of IFFCO… has done the work of setting a big example — not only in India, but the whole world — of what amazing results the co-operative and corporate values can bring together,” the Union minister said.

“In a way the ownership of IFFCO belongs to thousands of farmers of the country, but IFFCO has been run like a corporate. The spirit has been to help the farmers, but in (terms of) research and development, marketing, branding or to increase household reach, IFFCO has achieved skills which can embarrass any corporate company,” the minister said.

He said, “I have no doubt in my mind that IFFCO’s role is big in India’s current self reliance in food. IFFCO joined farmers with fertilizers. The task of connecting fertilizer with co-operatives was (also) done by IFFCO.” The Union minister expressed confidence that when IFFCO celebrates its centenary, its reputation will have grown significantly among cooperative organizations worldwide, a statement from the ministry said.

Shah then spoke on the Narendra Modi-led Union Government’s decision to form a separate ministry of cooperation and the subsequent 65 landmark decisions in the field of cooperation.

“Recently, (the Union government) established Tribhuvan Sahkari University in the name of Tribhuvan (Patel) Kaka,” Shah said. Last month, the Union government passed a Bill in Parliament to establish Tribhuvan Sahkari University on the campus of the Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) in Gujarat, to impart training in the co-operative sector. Tribhuvan Patel, a Congress leader, is known as the father of the co-operative movement in India,” he added.

He also referred to views of some opposition leaders over the naming of the university while allegedly sidelining Dr Verghese Kurien who founded IRMA. The Union minister asserted: “Narendrabhai (Modi) is a leader who runs the country by considering the contribution of a person without indulging into who is from the Congress or from the BJP. He (Modi) established an institute in the honour of Tribhuvan Kaka for his contribution in the field of co-operatives.” During the occasion, Shah also laid the foundation stone of a seed research centre.

“The Tribhuvan Sahkari University will connect the co-operative sector with modern technologies like AI. Today, IFFCO has increased its production capacity to such an extent that its products are now reaching all over the world. The Beej Anusandhan Kendra (seed research centre), whose foundation has been laid today, will prove to be instrumental in enhancing farmers’ prosperity in the future,” the minister was quoted as saying in the statement.

During the occasion, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, ministers of Gujarat government and leaders of the cooperative sector were also present.