Parangi Rohitbhai Mafabhai
B.com , Faculty of Management , Gujarat Vidyapith , Ahmedabad
Cooperative institutions are more than just organizations—they are communities built on trust, equality, and shared growth. Choosing a career in this sector means choosing to work for people, with people. A cooperative is a group of people who come together to meet common needs—whether in farming, banking, housing, or services. Unlike private companies that focus only on profit, cooperatives focus on people. Every member has a voice, and decisions are made together.
Today, cooperatives are important because they help create jobs, support local economies, and reduce inequality. In India, there are there are more than 8.44 lakh cooperative societies spanning 30 csectors, from dairy and agriculture to credit and housing. They reach rural areas where big companies often are not able to penetrate. According to recent reports, the cooperative sector may create over 11 crore jobs by 2030. That’s a huge opportunity for young people like me.
The cooperative sector offers many career paths. One can work as a manager in a credit society, a field officer in a dairy cooperative, or a trainer in a cooperative education institute. There are also roles in marketing, finance, IT, and governance .What inspires me most is the chance to work closely with communities. Unlike corporate jobs, cooperative careers allow you to see the direct impact of your work. You help farmers get fair prices, support women’s self-help groups, or improve rural banking systems. It’s meaningful work.
I recently read about a young woman who started as a volunteer in a women’s cooperative and now leads a team that trains rural entrepreneurs. Her journey showed me that growth in this sector is not just possible—it’s powerful. Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with Shri Shankarbhai Chaudhary, Chairman of Banas Dairy. He shared his experience and insights about the cooperative movement. He told me how Banas Dairy has empowered thousands of farmers, especially in remote areas, by giving them fair prices, training, and access to modern technology.
He said, “A cooperative is not just a business—it’s a family. When we grow together, we stay strong together.” His words made me realize that a cooperative career is not just about earning—it’s about serving. From this conversation, I learned that leadership in cooperatives means responsibility, vision, and care for the community. It inspired me to think about my own role in this field.
As a young man passionate about rural development, I want to become a cooperative professional who brings innovation to the grassroots. I see myself working in a dairy or credit cooperative, helping members use digital tools to improve their business. I want to train youth, support women-led groups, and promote sustainable farming. As a cooperative entrepreneur, I hope to start a small agri-based cooperative that connects farmers directly to markets. I believe technology and teamwork can change lives. My goal is to create a model that others can follow.
My uncle wakes up early in the morning. He feeds the cows and buffaloes with grass, fodder, and water. After feeding, he milks them carefully. The milk is collected in clean containers. Some of the milk is sold, some is used at home, and some is kept aside for making buttermilk. The animals are treated with care, because healthy animals give better milk. My uncle always says that animals are like family members, and they must be respected. From the milk, he makes curd. The curd is churned to separate butter, and the liquid that remains is buttermilk, locally called chhan. This buttermilk is not wasted. It is stored in clay pots or steel vessels. Farmers know that buttermilk has natural bacteria and nutrients. These qualities make it useful not only as food but also as a base for fertilizer.
The process of making fertilizer from milk and buttermilk is simple but effective. My uncle mixes buttermilk with cow dung and water. Sometimes he adds jaggery or flour to increase fermentation. The mixture is kept in a large drum or pit, covered with a cloth. For a few days, natural fermentation takes place. The bacteria in buttermilk help break down the organic matter. This creates a liquid fertilizer rich in nutrients.
After about a week, the mixture is ready. It is diluted with water and sprayed on crops. This fertilizer improves soil health, increases crop yield, and protects plants from pests. Unlike chemical fertilizers, it does not harm the environment. It is cheap, easy to make, and sustainable. Farmers do not need to buy expensive chemical fertilizers. The fertilizer keeps the soil healthy and avoids pollution. It uses local knowledge passed down through generations. Milk and dung from cows and buffaloes are fully utilized.
My uncle often explains that farming is not only about growing crops but also about using resources wisely. He shows how farmers can be self‑reliant. Choosing a career in the cooperative sector is choosing a path of purpose. It’s about working with people, solving real problems, and building a better future. In a world that often focuses on profit, cooperatives remind us of the power of unity and shared success. For me, this is not just a career choice . It’s ’s a life choice.
