'Year of the woman farmer': IFFCO honours achievers at AGM, reports Rs 4,585cr profit

Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) honoured women achievers from Jammu and Kashmir and Gujarat for the first time at its 55th annual general meeting, while also reporting a profit of Rs 4,585 crore and announcing incentives for employees.The IFFCO Sahakarita Ratna Award for 2024-25, carrying an honorarium of Rs 11 lakh, was conferred on Shakeela Akhtar for her contribution to strengthening the cooperative movement and empowering women in agriculture, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir.Bhavna Gondaliya received the IFFCO Sahakarita Bandhu Award for 2024-25, along with a cash prize of ₹11 lakh, in recognition of her work in the cooperative sector and efforts towards women’s empowerment in agriculture.IFFCO said the awards were conferred on women achievers for the first time in the organisation’s history, in line with the United Nations’ declaration of 2025-26 as the “Year of the Woman Farmer”.Addressing the gathering, IFFCO Chairman Dileep Sanghani said the continued support of cooperatives, farmers and employees had helped make IFFCO one of the world’s leading cooperative institutions. He said the organisation reflected Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Sahakar Se Samriddhi” aimed at empowering farmers and rural India through the cooperative movement.IFFCO Managing Director K J Patel announced that the cooperative had recorded a profit of Rs 4,585 crore. He also said employee incentives worth Rs 490.65 crore had been approved for the year.The organisation further announced a minimum wage of Rs 20,000 for lower-level employees, with an additional budget allocation of Rs 140 crore.The AGM saw participation from more than 850 cooperative leaders, member societies, farmers’ representatives and stakeholders from across the country.During the event, IFFCO also showcased initiatives and investments in sectors including Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Limited, National Cooperative Exports Limited, IFFCO-Tokio General Insurance Company, CORDET, IFFDC, IFFCO Bazar, IFFCO-MC and Kisan Rural Finance.IFFCO reiterated its focus on sustainable agriculture, including wider adoption of nano-fertilisers and support for small and marginal farmers to improve productivity and income.