Amul and IFFCO Lead Global Cooperative Rankings

India’s Global Cooperative Recognition

Amul and IFFCO Lead Global Cooperative Rankings: In a remarkable achievement, Amul and IFFCO have been ranked as the world’s top two cooperatives in the World Cooperative Monitor 2025, released by the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA). This recognition highlights India’s strong cooperative ecosystem, which has evolved into one of the largest in the world.

Static GK fact: The International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) was established in 1895, headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, and promotes global cooperative development.

Understanding Cooperatives

A cooperative society is an autonomous association of individuals who voluntarily unite to fulfill their economic, social, and cultural needs through a jointly owned and democratically controlled enterprise.

The genesis of the cooperative movement in India began with the Cooperative Credit Societies Act, 1904, aimed at providing rural credit.

Static GK Tip: The Rural Credit Cooperative movement was initiated under the leadership of Sir Edward Law, the then Finance Member of the Viceroy’s Council.

Constitutional and Legal Framework

‘Cooperative societies’ is a State Subject under the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution. The 97th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2011 provided constitutional status to cooperatives, granting citizens the fundamental right to form them and adding Article 43B to the Directive Principles of State Policy.

Legally, Multi-State Cooperative Societies are governed by the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002 (amended in 2023), while state-level cooperatives are regulated by respective State Cooperative Acts.

Scale of the Cooperative Sector in India

India houses over one-fourth of the world’s cooperatives, with more than 8.44 lakh registered societies. The states leading in cooperative development include Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka.

Static GK fact: The first cooperative society in India was established in 1904 in Thiroor, Kerala.

Strengthening the Cooperative Movement

The government has introduced several initiatives to boost the cooperative sector:

• Establishment of National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) in 1963.
• Formation of NABARD in 1982 to finance agriculture and rural development.
• Creation of the Ministry of Cooperation in 2021 to bring focused policy support.
• Launch of the National Cooperation Policy 2025, aiming at modernization and inclusivity in cooperative functioning.

Amul – India’s Dairy Revolution

Amul, officially the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd (GCMMF), was established in 1946 under the leadership of Tribhuvandas Patel in Anand, Gujarat. It represents 3.6 million milk producers across 33 districts, symbolizing India’s White Revolution.

Static GK Tip: The “Amul Model” inspired the creation of Operation Flood, launched in 1970 by Dr. Verghese Kurien.

IFFCO – Empowering Indian Farmers

The Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO), founded in 1967, is a multi-state cooperative headquartered in New Delhi. It serves millions of farmers through fertilizer production, agri-services, and rural development initiatives.

Static GK fact: IFFCO operates over 40,000 member cooperatives, making it one of the world’s largest agricultural cooperatives.

Global Recognition and Impact

The recognition of Amul and IFFCO in the World Cooperative Monitor 2025 reflects India’s leadership in democratic, people-centered economic models. Their success demonstrates how cooperatives can ensure inclusive growth, rural empowerment, and economic self-reliance.

Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table

Amul and IFFCO Lead Global Cooperative Rankings: