Multi-State Cooperative Societies at the National Level

**Executive Summary** The Ministry of Cooperation established three national-level multi-state cooperative societies in 2002: NCEL for exports, NCOL for organic produce, and BBSSL for quality seeds. These societies aim to enhance awareness and facilitate the enrollment of cooperative societies, including PACS, as members across the country through coordinated efforts with all States and by expanding membership and activities through MOUs with nodal agencies. The information was posted on Feb 10, 2026. **Key Points / Main Content** * **Establishment and Membership:** * The Ministry of Cooperation established NCEL, NCOL, and BBSSL, registered under the MSCS Act, 2002. * Cooperative societies at all levels, from PACS to Apex, are eligible to become members. * NCEL, BBSSL, and NCOL have enrolled 15,790, 34,078, and 11,822 members, respectively, across the country. * 140, 451, and 139 PACSs in Himachal Pradesh have become members of NCEL, BBSSL, and NCOL, respectively. * **Expansion and Collaboration:** * The three cooperative societies are working to expand membership and activities through MOUs with nodal agencies nominated by all States. * BBSSL and NCOL are working through nodal agencies to promote and expand 'Bharat Beej' and 'Bharat Organics' products, respectively. * 31 States nominated nodal agencies for NCOL, and 26 States for BBSSL. * MOUs have been signed with 22 nodal agencies for NCOL and 14 nodal agencies for BBSSL. * Efforts are ongoing to onboard cooperative societies from the remaining States and UTs. * **Quality and Certification:** * APEDA and FSSAI, and NCOL are undertaking the establishment and accreditation of laboratories. * NCOL is facilitating the further empanelment and utilization of these laboratories, including at the district level, to support organic certification under NPOP standards. **Impact Analysis** **Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS)** * **Impact:** The PACS can now be enrolled as members of NCEL, NCOL, and BBSSL. * **Action Required:** The PACS should look into the benefits of being members and ensure they enroll for any of these cooperatives. **Small and Marginal Farmers** * **Impact:** Can derive direct benefits through the expansion of society membership with the facilitation of the nodal agencies. * **Action Required:** They need to apply through the nodal agencies nominated by each State. **Nodal Agencies Nominated by States/UTs** * **Impact:** Responsible for facilitating expansion activities. * **Action Required:** Need to sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs). **States/UTs that have not Nominated Nodal Agencies** * **Impact:** Have not completed the requirements to promote the different cooperatives. * **Action Required:** Nominate and onboard nodal agencies.

Key Entities Referenced