Panaji: The state cabinet on Wednesday approved the Goa State Cooperative Policy, 2026, structured governance and regulatory strengthening, financial robustness, digitisation, professionalism and capacity building, sectoral vibrancy, business growth and market linkages, innovation, sustainability and future-ready initiatives.The policy aims to strengthen the cooperative sector, which plays a significant role in Goa’s socioeconomic development, particularly in agriculture, credit, housing, fisheries, dairy and allied sectors. The cabinet noted that emerging challenges such as governance deficits, financial stress, limited professional capacity and the need for digital transformation made it necessary to provide renewed direction to the cooperative movement.
The policy also focuses on sustainability and future frontiers, including promotion of green energy, renewable initiatives, youth-led cooperatives and innovation-driven models.The Centre had earlier notified the National Cooperative Policy, 2025, envisioning professionally managed, economically sustainable and future-ready cooperatives under the vision of “Sahkar-se-Samriddhi” and “Viksit Bharat @2047”. In alignment with this national vision and the state’s objective of “Swayampurna Goa 2037”, Goa govt constituted a drafting committee to frame a comprehensive state policy.Goa State Cooperative Policy, 2026 includes a five-year implementation roadmap from 2026 to 2030, with year-wise milestones for structured development. It is intended as a guiding framework to provide strategic direction to the sector.Proposals involving statutory amendments, financial commitments or inter-departmental approvals will be processed separately as per existing laws and procedures after approval by the council of ministers. The cabinet clarified that there are no immediate financial implications arising from the policy’s approval, and any future financial requirements will be placed before the competent authority with due justification.The cabinet authorised the Department of Cooperation to issue necessary orders for publication, dissemination and phased implementation of the policy.
