South West Garo Hills gets first cooperative retail outlet as Kerupara IVCS opens store in Ampati

Ampati, July 3: In a major boost to the cooperative movement in South West Garo Hills, the Kerupara Integrated Village Cooperative Society (IVCS) Ltd. on Thursday inaugurated its first retail outlet at Ampati Market, becoming the first IVCS in the district to open a dedicated sales outlet at the district headquarters.

The new outlet will stock the entire range of products manufactured and marketed by the cooperative, giving consumers direct access to locally processed agricultural and food products while creating a stronger market for farmers and rural producers.

Founded on September 29, 2019, Kerupara IVCS has steadily expanded its activities beyond traditional cooperative functions. In 2023, it ventured into value addition by processing products such as cashew nuts, arecanut and a range of fruit-based items. A year later, it diversified further into food processing, broadening its product portfolio and strengthening its business operations.

The opening of the retail outlet marks another milestone in the society’s growth and reflects its efforts to promote rural entrepreneurship through value addition and improved market linkages.

By establishing a permanent retail presence in Ampati, the cooperative aims to enhance the visibility of locally produced goods and ensure better returns for its members and producers.

As the first Integrated Village Cooperative Society in South West Garo Hills to set up its own retail outlet at the district headquarters, Kerupara IVCS is expected to serve as a model for other cooperatives in the region.

Officials said the initiative could encourage similar ventures by cooperative societies across the district, contributing to local economic development, employment generation and the promotion of indigenous products from Garo Hills.

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