A series of awareness and outreach activities are being organised across Sarangarh-Bilaigarh district as part of the National Cooperation Week, with the week-long campaign set to conclude on July 6 with a closing ceremony promoting the use of alternative fertilisers and strengthening cooperative institutions.

According to the district administration, the programme is being conducted through various Primary Agricultural Credit Cooperative Societies (PACS) to raise awareness about the role of cooperatives in rural development, agricultural growth and farmers' welfare.

The week-long campaign began on June 30 with a meeting of the District Cooperative Development Committee, where discussions focused on the role of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and cooperative societies in enhancing farmers' income.

On July 1, demonstrations on the use of drones for spraying liquid fertilisers were organised along with awareness sessions on crop companions and soil health management. Farmers were also introduced to modern agricultural practices aimed at improving productivity.

As part of the campaign, farmers visited model cooperative societies on July 2 to gain practical knowledge of successful cooperative operations. Cooperative societies also distributed Micro ATMs, Kisan Credit Cards (KCCs) and RuPay KCC cards to eligible beneficiaries to improve financial inclusion in rural areas.

Activities on July 3 included plantation drives and cleanliness campaigns, while awareness was also created through the circulation of the monthly publication 'Sahkari Samachar' issued by the Chhattisgarh State Cooperative Union.

On July 4, health camps were organised at Jan Aushadhi Kendras operated by cooperative societies. Educational institutions also participated in the campaign through essay writing, painting and quiz competitions on the theme of cooperation on July 5, encouraging students to understand the importance of the cooperative movement.

The week-long programme will conclude on July 6 with a seminar on the use of alternative fertilisers, followed by a grand closing ceremony. Officials said the initiative is aimed at strengthening the spirit of cooperation among farmers and rural communities while promoting self-reliance through cooperative institutions.

The district administration believes the campaign will help increase public awareness about cooperative schemes, encourage greater participation in cooperative societies and contribute to the socio-economic development of the region. Officials have also appealed to members of the Cooperation Department and the public to participate in large numbers in the concluding event.

A week-long awareness programme under Cooperation Week (Sahkarita Saptah) is underway in Tamta, with the objective of strengthening cooperative institutions and promoting greater awareness among farmers about the benefits of the cooperative movement. The campaign will continue until July 6.

The programme was inaugurated at the Paddy Procurement Centre, Tamta, under the supervision of the Primary Agricultural Credit Cooperative Society (PACS). The event witnessed the participation of farmers, public representatives and members of the cooperative society.

The inauguration was marked by the hoisting of the cooperative flag by chief guest and Farmers' Committee President Ravishankar Paikra, who called upon farmers to actively participate in cooperative activities for the collective development of the agricultural sector.

Addressing the gathering, Paikra said cooperative institutions form the backbone of the rural economy by ensuring the timely availability of seeds, fertilisers, agricultural loans and other essential services to farmers. He stressed the need to make cooperative societies more transparent, accountable and efficient so that they can better serve farming communities.

Participants at the event took a pledge to uphold the principles of cooperation and work collectively for the welfare of farmers. Officials also highlighted the importance of strengthening cooperative institutions to improve agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods.

A series of awareness programmes, discussions and outreach activities have been planned throughout the week to educate members and farmers about cooperative governance, financial discipline, transparency and the various schemes available through cooperative societies.

The organisers said the campaign is aimed at increasing public participation in the cooperative movement while encouraging institutions to adopt best practices in governance and service delivery. Officials expressed confidence that the initiative would further strengthen the cooperative network and benefit farmers across the region.

The concluding programme on July 6 is expected to witness participation from cooperative representatives, government officials and local farmers, reaffirming the commitment to building stronger and more effective cooperative institutions.