Jacob urges cooperativesto focus on performance

Minister of Public Health Engineering and Cooperation, Jacob Zhimomi, has called on cooperative societies to focus on performance instead of quantity, while assuring government support for well-functioning groups.
He was speaking as guest of honour at the International Cooperatives Day celebration held at the Registrar of Cooperative Societies (RCS) Office Kohima on Saturday under the theme, “Driving Inclusive and Sustainable Solutions for a Better World.”
Zhimomi said the creation of a dedicated Ministry of Cooperation at the Centre highlights the value of cooperatives in building the country’s future. He stated that India has over 6.5 lakh cooperatives, and Nagaland has more than 8,000 registered societies, but urged that “quality must match quantity.”
He asserted that cooperatives must produce results to earn support and emphasized that poor-performing societies would be reviewed. “We will not let anyone suffer, but results matter,” he added.
The minister stressed the importance of digitization in cooperative functions and called on youth to get involved in enterprise. Encouraging local entrepreneurship, Zhimomi said, “Let your land be your guarantor.” He also urged consistent work ethics and warned against the pursuit of easy money, saying growth requires humility and hard work.
He encouraged citizens to share knowledge and promote cooperation at all levels—from homes to communities—mentioning that Nagaland must contribute to “Viksit Bharat” by 2047 through cooperative efforts.
Earlier in his welcome address, Commissioner and secretary for Cooperation and IPR, Orenthung Lotha, said Cooperatives Day (CoopsDay) is celebrated globally every first Saturday of July. He emphasized the relevance of this year’s theme and said the UN has declared 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives under the banner “Cooperatives Build a Better World.”
He added that the day honours the contributions of members, workers, and leaders who help make cooperatives a driving force for development.
Presentations were delivered by successful cooperative societies including Village Agri & Allied Cooperative Society Ltd., Kohima; Shurho Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd., Kohima; Life Elaichi Agri & Allied Cooperative Society Ltd., Tuensang; and Atsisa Large Area Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd., Kiphire.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Additional Registrar, Km. Alangla Tonger, who reaffirmed the department’s commitment to strengthening cooperative structures across the state.