A Conversation with… Dr K.J. Patel

Dr K.J. Patel is Managing Director of Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited – IFFCO (India)

Tell us about your organisation?

IFFCO was founded in November 1967, making it one of the oldest cooperatives in the country. Our responsibility is not only the production of fertilisers, but also improving the lives and living standards of farmers. That is the main motto of the government of India today — cooperation as the base for the benefit of farmers and rural communities. As a cooperative, we see ourselves as most responsible for taking care of the farmers of this country. We have five manufacturing plants in India, joint ventures abroad, and around 18 subsidiaries within India.

How does being a cooperative make IFFCO better at what it does?

At IFFCO, we are not only owned by the farmers – they are also at the centre of our decision-making and means our focus is always on the 360-degree development of farmers. That includes ensuring fertilisers are available on time, in the right quantities, and in the right varieties. We don’t just supply conventional fertilisers; we also develop new products that improve soil fertility and productivity while protecting the environment. A good example is our innovative nano-fertilisers, which reduce the burden on soil and support sustainability.

Beyond fertilisers, we extend benefits through our subsidiaries in areas such as insurance, cooperative development, and rural development. For example, the Indian Farm Forestry Cooperative works on forestry and environmental projects, funded by IFFCO itself. This broad scope shows how we take responsibility not only for farm productivity but also for farmers’ overall well-being.

How does this extend to direct impact on communities?

We have more than 36,500 cooperatives as members. That translates to over 50 million farmers directly connected with IFFCO’s operations, who benefit directly. Each year we return the maximum dividend allowed by law, 20%, back to our cooperative shareholders. This ensures the wealth created flows directly back to rural communities.

Why is the CM50 important?

Because it is a unique platform to introduce ourselves and to learn from others. IFFCO is the largest cooperative in the world, and with that comes responsibility. We want to continue to expand and to serve our farmers, who are the roots of the organisation.

If there are new opportunities, new technologies, or new systems being developed in other cooperatives globally, CM50 gives us exposure to them. It allows us to bring back ideas that benefit our members. It is a opportunity to gather cooperatives worldwide at one point, at one location, and share experiences.

How do cooperatives build a better world?

For us, building a better world means involving people directly in cooperative action — whether in farming, environmental projects, or rural development. We extend support, we initiate programs, and we always work to make cooperative principles more effective.

Let me share one initiative from IFFCO during this International Year: the “One Tree for Mother Earth” mission. We promoted this programme across our branches in India, and within a short time, more than one million trees were planted. Farmers, rural people, and communities all came together for this.

By doing this, we ensure inclusive development. Farmers, rural communities, and all those connected with us can see the benefits of being part of a cooperative. In this International Year, our commitment is to keep working hard to strengthen the cooperative movement and to show how cooperation can truly improve lives and build a better world.