27/08/2026
Prof. Indranil De, Professor, Chair, Research, Consultancy & Training, IRMA, “Tribhuvan” Sahkari University, shared his insights on the future of India’s cooperative movement in an exclusive conversation with Socio-Economic Voices, IndiaStat’s interview series.
Discussing the need to shift the focus from the number of cooperatives to their institutional quality, Prof. De highlighted the importance of professional management, stronger democratic member control, transparent benchmarking, performance-linked public support, and rehabilitation of ailing cooperatives. He emphasised that cooperatives must remain economically viable while staying genuinely member-centric and focused on creating value for their members.
Prof. De also discussed the opportunities and challenges of PACS diversification into areas such as warehousing, dairy, fisheries, procurement, and other activities. While diversification can create economies of scope and strengthen member engagement, he noted that it must be accompanied by adequate managerial, financial and technical capabilities to avoid diluting institutional effectiveness. He also outlined a roadmap for making cooperatives a genuine third economic pillar through better governance, digital systems, needs- and performance-based public support, empowered members, and benchmarking.
Read the full interview in Socio-Economic Voices, IndiaStat’s interview series:
https://www.indiastat.com/Socio-Economic-Voices/cooperative-reform-india-indranil-de
