All member states of the United Nations adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the historic New York Summit in 2015. With determination and promises, member states embraced these SDGs to promote sustainability, peace, and prosperity. Inclusivity and people's participation are core to achieving the SDGs, forming the foundation of global sustainability. Based on democratic practices and inclusive approaches, cooperative societies address nearly all SDGs for sustainable growth. Recognizing the importance of the cooperative movement, the UN declared 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives with the theme, "Cooperatives Build a Better World." The International Year of Cooperatives was launched during the ICA Global Cooperative Conference in November 2024 in New Delhi, India. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as chief guest, emphasized adopting the cooperative movement as a lifestyle.
Cooperative Movement in Pakistan
The cooperative movement is gaining momentum globally, but in Pakistan, since 1997, the registration of cooperative societies has been banned by the Government of Punjab. Established in 1904, the Cooperative Department is one of the oldest departments in the country. From refugee settlement to improving living standards, the cooperative system has shaped various sectors, including agriculture, industry, housing, and thrift. The ban on new cooperative societies led to the rise of alternative systems like microfinancing, thrift, housing, and agricultural production. It also halted research and development in the cooperative field. However, in May 2025, the first International Cooperative Conference, titled "Cooperatives for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development," was held at the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, in collaboration with the Cooperatives Department, Government of Punjab. Researchers and scholars participated, sparking discussions on challenges and opportunities among academia, entrepreneurs, and policymakers. There was a pressing need for a cooperative society that could provide backward and forward linkages to uplift agriculture, Pakistan's largest sector. In response, the Government of Punjab registered the Green Agri Cooperative Pakistan (GACP) in 2026, recognizing the potential of the cooperative movement and inclusive agriculture. Better late than never.
Green Agri Cooperative Pakistan: A Visionary Initiative
The concept behind GACP is well thought-out, focused, and forward-looking. Thorough research-based studies preceded its implementation. A key barrier to the cooperative movement, especially in agriculture, was the lack of integrated backward and forward linkages. Previously, separate societies handled loans, agri inputs, advisories, production, financing, services, and marketing. GACP consolidates all these services—inputs, finances, advice, and marketing—under one roof. It can act as a friend, philosopher, and guide for the farming community, which is the backbone of the cooperative movement.
Addressing Small Landholders' Challenges
In Pakistan, most farmers are small landholders. According to the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, 90% of farmers own less than five hectares. Consequently, modern, mechanized, and advanced technologies for better production remain elusive. GACP focuses on this core issue by providing a platform for collective farming. Proper studies of past production, current needs, soil potential, climate suitability, cost-effective inputs, storage capacity, and market potential are crucial for planning agricultural ideas. Most Pakistani farmers do not consider these factors when planning crops, often following successful crops blindly, leading to profit volatility. GACP, as a single platform, can anticipate and act timely for better and sustainable agricultural production. Its objectives are based on modernization, mechanization, and maximization of agriculture for enhanced yields.
Holistic Agriculture Approach
Sustainable agriculture extends beyond crop production to include livestock, poultry, and fisheries. GACP incorporates fruits, vegetables, floriculture, dairy, fisheries/shrimp farming, poultry, bee-keeping, sericulture, plantation, sheep, goats, rabbits, and other land-based activities. This aligns with the cooperative movement's principles and current needs.
Path to SDGs
The world recognizes the cooperative movement's potential. People's participation and collective ownership are vital for ending poverty and achieving SDGs. GACP can represent Pakistan's efforts to achieve SDGs through inclusive approaches. However, its success depends on government patronage, management seriousness, member ownership, and the Cooperative Department's professionalism.
Dr. Muhammad Irfan is the District Officer of Cooperatives, Faisalabad. He can be reached at irfyrao@yahoo.com.
