Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah launched the SHE Mart initiative and various projects of the National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation (NCCF) in Kundara, Kollam, Keralam, aimed at strengthening the cooperative sector, empowering rural women and providing greater market access to self-help groups and rural entrepreneurs.
Speaking on the occasion, on September 26, the minister stated that the demand for a separate Union Ministry for Cooperation had been in place since the country’s independence. All farmers of the country and people linked with the cooperative sector had been demanding it. PM Modi took a great leap forward by creating a Ministry for Cooperation at the Centre. It is for rural development, agricultural development and women’s empowerment.
HM Amit Shah reminded that Keralam’s long cooperative movement had taken shape even before independence. He cited regions such as Tiruvitamcoor, Kochi and Malabar. He stated that Keralam is a state with very old and strong cooperative infrastructure. There are more than 23,000 well-run cooperatives in the state.
The Union Minister invited the Keralam Cooperative Minister to come to Delhi; he said he would be happy if Keralam takes maximum advantage of all the schemes of the Government of Bharat. The Union Minister promised to provide the state special help and guidance in the fields of dairy, seed and organic structure. The Prime Minister’s basic objective is women’s empowerment through the cooperative movement.
During the function, Amit Shah launched the “SHE MART” initiative in the state. The scheme was announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Union Budget of 2026–2027 under the SHE (Self Help Entrepreneur) Mart mission. It is designed to transform rural women from credit seekers to enterprise owners.
He stated that the SHE Mart initiative in the cooperative sector, announced by the Finance Minister in the Budget, was being launched in Keralam.
‘SHE-MART’ is a powerful initiative to connect women’s Self-Help Groups and rural entrepreneurs directly with markets, providing greater opportunities for women-led enterprises.
വനിതകൾ നയിക്കുന്ന സംരംഭങ്ങൾക്ക് കൂടുതൽ മികച്ച അവസരങ്ങൾ ഒരുക്കിക്കൊണ്ട്, വനിതാ സ്വയംസഹായ സംഘങ്ങളെയും… pic.twitter.com/pHnfmzy0Ur
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) September 26, 2026
Simultaneously, the distribution of onions, ‘Bharat Atta’ and ‘Bharat Rice’ to the citizens of Keralam at affordable prices via NCCF and NAFED (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd.) mobile vans has also commenced.
Moreover, scholarships have been awarded to the children of two farmer families under the NAFED Welfare Scholarship Scheme.
The Union Home Minister said that the concept of SHE Mart is a sort of self-help entrepreneur mart. He said it is an excellent endeavour to link women Self Help Groups and rural industry entrepreneurs directly with the market as well as consumers. Bharatiya brand products and local products will be available in more than 2,500 NCCF outlets and more than 300 SHE Mart shops in Keralam, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Amit Shah also said that the blue economy has a serious role in Keralam in the future. The cooperative sector should be able to utilise it.
Union Minister Suresh Gopi, state ministers M. Liju, P.C. Vishnunath, N.K. Premachandran MP and BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar MLA participated in the programme.
Home Minister started his speech by expressing regret at his inability to speak in Malayalam. He said that he was coming to Keralam for the first time since the state’s name had been changed from Kerala to Keralam.
