Modi calls for new cooperatives in different sectors

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday advised farmers and villagers to take the help of cooperatives in sectors like honey bee farming, selling of neem seeds and sea weed farming to increase their income.

"Cooperative movements are not only about systems. There is a spirit that brings people together to do something good. There are several sectors where the cooperative sector can help make a positive difference. Farmers and villagers with the help of cooperatives can do better in various sectors," he told a programme on the 100th birth anniversary of Lakshmanrao Inamdar, who took the cooperative movement to new heights in Maharashtra.

Modi listed the various sectors which the farmers can increase their income and fulfil the government's dream of doubling their income by 2022.

"After green and white revolution, now it is time for 'blue revolution' and 'sweet revolution' in which cooperatives can help. It is not possible that cities move forward and villages are left behind. There is a need for collective development."

Modi advised the farmers to take help of cooperatives in honey bee farming, selling of neem seeds for factories manufacturing neem coated urea, animal husbandry and other sectors to boost their income.

He also suggested that fishermen can do see weed farming during rainy season when they are unemployed for around five months.

The Prime Minister asked the people linked with cooperatives to think about the old ongoing system in which a farmer buys on retail price and sells on wholesale price. "Can this system revert to save the farmers from being looted by the middlemen?"