National Co-operative Exports Limited (NCEL)

The recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between National Co-operative Exports Limited (NCEL) and the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) is a significant development in India’s agricultural export landscape.

About National Co-operative Exports Limited (NCEL)

Background

• Established by the Ministry of Cooperation, NCEL is set up under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) Act, 2002.

• It serves as an umbrella organization that promotes exports from the cooperative sector, focusing on enhancing the global competitiveness of cooperative-produced goods and services.

Objectives and Role

• Main Aim: To enhance the global competitiveness of goods and services produced by cooperatives.

• It works by creating synergies among cooperative societies and improving their reach in global markets.

Promoters of NCEL

The NCEL is supported by several major cooperative institutions in India, including:

• AMUL (GCMMF)

• IFFCO (Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative)

• KRIBHCO (Krishak Bharati Cooperative)

• NAFED (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation)

• NCDC (National Cooperative Development Corporation)

These institutions bring in vast expertise in agricultural and processed food products, along with a large network of cooperative societies.

Member Eligibility

• All cooperative societies, from primary-level to apex-level, are eligible to become members if they are interested in exports.

Headquarters: New Delhi, India

Functions of National Co-operative Exports Limited (NCEL)

1. Export Promotion:
   NCEL plays a key role in promoting exports by engaging in various activities such as:

   • Procurement and storage of cooperative-produced goods.

   • Processing, marketing, and branding of products.

   • Ensuring labelling and packaging meet global standards.

   • Certification for quality assurance to match international market requirements.

   • Research & Development (R&D) to enhance product offerings.

2. Financial and Technical Support:
   NCEL provides assistance with:

   • Finance arrangements for cooperative societies involved in export.

   • Technical guidance to improve production and packaging standards.

   • Training and capacity building to increase export capabilities.

3. Market Expansion:

   • One of the key functions is to help cooperative societies access wider markets beyond India’s geographical boundaries. This includes identifying global markets, conducting market intelligence, and promoting surplus exports from India’s cooperative sector.

4. Research and Innovation:

   • Focusing on innovative methods to strengthen the export potential of cooperatives and ensuring they remain competitive in the international market.

Strategic MoU with APEDA

The recent MoU between NCEL and APEDA focuses on:

• Promoting agricultural exports, especially products from the cooperative sector.

• Enhancing export performance and tapping into new global markets for cooperatives’ agricultural products.

• Leveraging APEDA’s market development initiatives and NCEL’s cooperative export network to make India’s cooperative products more competitive internationally.

Significance of NCEL’s Role in Agricultural Exports

1. Strengthening Cooperative Economy:

   • The cooperative sector has been a backbone for agriculture in India. With organizations like AMUL and IFFCO, it has managed to bring together small and medium-sized farmers into the export chain. NCEL will further support this by increasing the visibility of cooperative products globally.

2. Boosting India’s Agricultural Export:

   • India is a major global player in agricultural exports, and NCEL’s role will increase the participation of cooperative societies in this sector. Products like dairy, fruits, vegetables, and processed food will see greater demand internationally.

3. Inclusive Growth:

   • The move ensures that even small-scale cooperatives, typically not exposed to international markets, can benefit from the global demand for agricultural products. This can empower local farmers and help them gain better prices for their produce.

4. Support for Sustainable Farming:

   • Through its focus on organic farming, quality assurance, and green products, NCEL can further promote India’s agricultural exports in line with global sustainability trends.

Conclusion

The NCEL-APEDA MoU is a step in the right direction for boosting India’s agricultural exports, with a focus on cooperative-led development. It opens up new avenues for cooperatives to access global markets, strengthening India’s role in the world agricultural trade.