The Himachal Pradesh government is actively advancing the cooperative movement as a strategic pillar for strengthening the rural economy. What began as a focus on agriculture, credit, and essential commodities has now evolved into a dynamic, multi-sectoral movement encompassing dairy, horticulture, marketing, fisheries, savings and credit, handicrafts, and more.
Today, nearly 20 lakh people in the state are directly benefitting from over 5,000 registered cooperative societies, showcasing the scale and success of this grassroots movement. Among these, 2,287 Primary Agriculture Credit Societies (PACS) are ensuring financial inclusion in remote villages, while six new multipurpose societies have recently been established to cater to emerging needs.
The impact of cooperatives is not merely economic. They are enhancing livelihoods, increasing productivity, and most importantly, fostering inclusive and sustainable development. By creating new opportunities and reducing dependency on external support, cooperatives are becoming the backbone of rural self-reliance.
A standout success story is the dairy cooperative sector, which is setting new benchmarks. There are currently 971 dairy cooperatives, with more than 35,000 active women members, reflecting strong female participation and empowerment. In total, 561 new dairy societies have been formed, and significant investment is being made under the Him Ganga Yojana to improve milk procurement, processing, and marketing infrastructure.
Himachal Pradesh is also the first state in India to offer a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for milk, demonstrating a firm commitment to dairy farmers. Daily, approximately 2.33 lakh litres of cow milk are procured from nearly 38,400 farmers, while buffalo milk is purchased at ₹61 per litre. For efficient operations, Milkfed has been decentralized into five regional units located in Kangra, Mandi, Nahan, Shimla, and Nalagarh.
Women empowerment remains central to this movement. In Una, 5,000 women have formed a dedicated Women Federation, and their self-help group products are sold under the ‘Him Ira’ brand, offering better market access and economic opportunity. Initiatives like women-operated food vans are also promoting entrepreneurship and financial independence.
To further boost livelihoods and preserve cultural heritage, the state has launched an e-commerce platform to showcase and sell products crafted by local artisans, weavers, and entrepreneurs. This digital marketplace is helping traditional Himachali goods reach national and global buyers while reinforcing the state’s cultural identity.
CM Sukhu affirmed that the cooperative movement has emerged as a catalyst for rural self-employment, youth engagement, and overall economic transformation. He emphasized that the movement reflects economic empowerment, social unity, and the vision of an Atmanirbhar (self-reliant) Himachal.
Through institutional reforms, innovation, and youth participation, the government is not only making cooperatives more resilient but also future-ready. As cooperative societies continue to evolve and expand, they are playing a decisive role in building a stronger rural economy and bringing the dream of a self-reliant Himachal closer to reality.
