The seventh National Review Conference in Varanasi on nine and ten April 2026 focused on deepening sectoral reforms, strengthening institutional capacity and accelerating implementation across cooperative verticals such as banking, dairy and financing.

Deliberations emphasised execution to resolve operational bottlenecks and translate policy into measurable grassroots outcomes. The conference identified priority areas where implementation has been uneven and urged faster decision making and stronger institutional convergence.

The Secretary, Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India, Dr Ashish Kumar Bhutani, said the next phase of reforms must be driven by effective field level execution supported by improved coordination and timely utilisation of resources. He called for robust implementation mechanisms, continuous monitoring and performance based evaluation of partners alongside sustained capacity building. On Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) computerisation and expansion he urged completion of ongoing phases and transformation of PACS into multi service centres.

Review of grain storage highlighted the need for time bound implementation, land facilitation and streamlined processes, while institutional strengthening was urged to expand dairy and fisheries coverage and farmer participation. The conference urged modernisation of cooperative banking, calling on District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs), State Cooperative Banks (StCBs) and Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs) to adopt secure digital platforms, stronger cyber security and balanced short and long term lending to improve credit delivery. The National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) outlined expanded financing for Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), fisheries, sugar, food processing and deep sea fishing.

Delegates discussed cooperation among cooperatives to integrate PACS, dairy cooperatives, federations and banks into efficient value chains and improve economic viability, linking White Revolution 2.0 to enhanced milk procurement and dairy infrastructure. Emerging cooperative led digital initiatives such as Bharat Taxi were reported to be soft launching in several cities with a national rollout planned in the years to come, signalling growing acceptance of cooperative digital platforms. Sessions on the Sahkar se Samriddhi framework, Sahakar Samvad and a targeted media strategy closed with a shared commitment to accelerate reforms and align institutions, resources and execution mechanisms.