National Co-operative Exports Limited (NCEL)
National Co-operative Exports Limited (NCEL)
Introduction
National Co-operative Exports Limited is a national level multi-state co-operative dedicated to exports. It is an umbrella body that represents the entire co-operative sector of India in overseas markets.
NCEL was approved by the Union Government and formally registered under the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act, 2002 on 25 January 2023.
(The Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act, 2002 governs cooperative societies that operate across more than one state. It allows members to form cooperatives voluntarily and ensures they function democratically. The Act promotes self-help, mutual aid, and the economic and social welfare of members. It also grants cooperatives functional autonomy and addresses related matters.)
NCEL has been promoted by 5 leading co-operatives – Indian Farmers Fertiliser Co-operative Limited (IFFCO), Krishak Bharati Co-operative Limited (KRIBHCO), National Agricultural Co-operative Marketing Federation of India Limited (NAFED), Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF–Amul) and the National Co-operative Development Corporation (NCDC). Its initial paid-up capital is Rs.500 crore with contribution of Rs.100 crore each by the five promoters and authorised share capital is Rs.2,000 crore. By linking co-operative products to global markets, NCEL supports the “Make in India” vision, strengthens market linkages, and generates more employment opportunities in the co-operative sector.
NCEL aims to take surplus produce from Indian co-operatives to global markets, ensuring better demand and fair prices. It supports exports by handling procurement, storage, processing, packaging, branding, certification and marketing. Alongside this, it arranges finance, provides technical guidance, builds skills, develops market intelligence and links members with government schemes. In doing so, it strengthens the capacity of co-operatives and expands their presence in international trade. Through NCEL, the cooperative model has been scaled up to the national level, enabling local produce and skills to find markets across the globe under the guiding vision of “Sahakar se Samriddhi”— prosperity through co-operation.
From Inception to Impact
In a short span, NCEL has delivered significant results.
(Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) are village-level co-operatives that provide loans to farmers, recover repayments, and support distribution and marketing.)
The number of cooperatives that have been granted membership are as under: –
S.No.
Type of Cooperative
Number
1.
PACS & other primary Coops
10793
2.
Tehsil/ District Level Coops
216
3.
Multi-State Co-op. Societies
10
4.
State Level Co-op. Societies
10
5.
Promoter Co-operatives/ Organizations
5
Export Summary for the year 2023-2025 (Till August)
S.No.
Year
Quantity (Lakh Metric Tonne)
Value (Rupees in crore)
1.
2023-24
2.66
1,113.13
2.
2024-25
10.83
4,283.56
3.
2025 – Till August
0.00798
6.32
4.
Total
13.49
5,403.01
Objectives and Key Targets of NCEL
Key Targets:
Strategies to Expand NCEL’s Reach and Market Presence
To meet the export targets, NCEL is adopting multiple strategies to strengthen its market position.
Future Directions for NCEL
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah has urged NCEL to explore new export opportunities for sugar from co-operative sugar mills, aromatic rice from Tripura, organic cotton and coarse grains. He also highlighted the potential for partnerships with large companies to export fresh vegetables to Gulf countries and special potato varieties.
An ambitious target of ₹2 lakh crore exports has been set for NCEL. Shri Shah directed that exports of all co-operative institutions should be routed through NCEL so that a turnover of about ₹20,000–30,000 crore and net profits can flow back to the co-operatives.
He also suggested setting up NCEL offices in Africa and Myanmar for pulses imports and developing a dedicated website to help co-operative members understand global demand and showcase their supply capacity.
Conclusion
National Co-operative Exports Limited represents a new era for India’s co-operative sector. In just two years, it has built a wide membership, exported millions of tonnes of produce, and shared profits with members. The next stage will involve scaling exports, diversifying the commodity basket, and deepening partnerships across the globe. With government support and a strong foundation built by its promoters, NCEL is poised to become the global face of India’s co-operatives.
References
National Co-operative Exports Limited
https://ncel.coop/what-we-do/#flipbook-df_580/7/
https://ncel.coop/vision-mission-objectives/
Ministry of Cooperation
https://cooperatives.gov.in/en/home/faq
https://www.cooperation.gov.in/en/about-primary-agriculture-cooperative-credit-societies-pacs#:~:text=Primary%20Agricultural%20Credit%20Societies%20are,undertake%20distribution%20and%20marketing%20functions
PIB Press Release
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2152469
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2152469
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2152469
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2126629
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2039586
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1988375
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2126629
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2165054
Rajya Sabha
https://sansad.in/getFile/annex/268/AU3041_2BQaKA.pdf?source=pqars
https://sansad.in/getFile/annex/268/AU1126_aQUyfC.pdf?source=pqars
https://sansad.in/getFile/annex/268/AU3041_2BQaKA.pdf?source=pqars
National Centre for Good Governance
https://ncgg.org.in/sites/default/files/lectures-document/WoG.pdf