The Minister for Agriculture, Horticulture, Cooperation, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development, and Fisheries, K Atchannaidu, has emphasised the government’s commitment to developing the cooperative sector in the State through well-structured planning. He highlighted focused efforts to strengthen dairy and fisheries sectors by utilising support from the new multipurpose Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies (PACS) registered in 2023.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated 10,212 newly formed PACS, Dairy, and Fisheries Societies under the banner of ‘Sahakar Se Samriddhi’ in New Delhi on Wednesday. Minister Atchannaidu participated in the programme from the Panchayat Raj & Rural Development Commissioner’s Office in Tadepalli.
Atchannaidu said the initiative aims to improve productivity and economic sustainability within these vital sectors. It seeks to foster the growth of cooperative models for rural development and empower farmers. In the newly formed Multipurpose Cooperative System, there are 932 Women Cooperative Dairy Societies in the State, which currently procure 60,000 litres of milk every day and supply it to various agencies.
Furthermore, he mentioned that approximately 45,000 families benefit from these societies. The government aims to achieve the top position in milk procurement, as Andhra Pradesh is currently in fourth place. The Minister also announced that his government would support the dairy societies formed under the Andhra Pradesh Dairy Development and Cooperative System to ensure they receive affordable prices for milk. As a result, they will provide milk-testing machinery and milk-chilling facilities.
He stated that the government will offer training to society members in capacity building and business development. Later, he revealed that the government will encourage Podder Plus Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) to help dairy farmers earn additional income. Also, he noted that the government raised the withdrawal limit for cooperative societies from Rs.1 crore to Rs.3 crore.
Meanwhile, the Minister mentioned that reducing the current income tax rate from 30 per cent to 15 per cent, following discussions with the Central government, will be beneficial for cooperative societies aiming to turn a profit. Later, Atchannaidu presented performance certificates to the best PACSl, milk societies and fisheries societies.
The event was also attended by Animal Husbandry Principal Secretary MM. Naik, Director Damodar Naidu, Fisheries Commissioner Dola Sankar, APCOB Chief General Manager Venkata Ratnam, and others.
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