The National Cooperative Union of India (NCUI) facilitated the visit of a high-level Brazilian delegation to India from 4 to 11 October 2025, led by Mr. Astrogildo Gonçalves Peixoto, Vice-President, OCB Goiás. OCB Goiás integrates the Organization of Brazilian Cooperatives (OCB) and the National Service for Cooperative Learning (Sescoop). The delegation, comprising around 16 leaders from dairy cooperatives of Goiás along with representatives of Brazil’s national cooperative system, also visited IFFCO, AMUL, NDDB, and the Mother Dairy Plant, Delhi.

The primary objective of the visit was to strengthen institutional dialogue, promote technical exchange, and foster a long-term strategic partnership between the cooperative movements of Brazil and India, with a special focus on the development of dairy cooperatives.

As part of their programme, the delegation held a knowledge exchange meeting with NCUI at its Headquarters on the afternoon of 6 October 2025. Mrs. Savitri Singh, Deputy Chief Executive, welcomed the delegates and delivered introductory remarks, highlighting NCUI’s role in promoting international cooperative collaboration. Dr. Sudhir Mahajan, IAS (Retd.), Chief Executive, NCUI, greeted the delegation and delivered the welcome address. Both the Chief Executive and Deputy Chief Executive extended a warm welcome to the delegates by presenting flowers and shawls.

During the meeting, Mr. Ritesh Dey, Executive Director, NCUI, gave a detailed presentation on NCUI’s initiatives, cooperative development efforts, and programmes in the dairy sector. Mr. Astrogildo Gonçalves Peixoto, Vice-President, OCB Goiás, introduced the delegation and shared insights on the Brazilian dairy cooperative movement. Mr. Victor Hugo Rios Cunha, General Manager, OCB Goiás, highlighted potential areas of collaboration between the cooperatives of Brazil and India.

An open discussion followed, focusing on cooperative practices, dairy development, and mutual areas of cooperation. The meeting concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NCUI and OCB Goiás, marking the beginning of a new chapter of partnership. The documents were exchanged between Dr. Sudhir Mahajan and Mr. Astrogildo Gonçalves Peixoto, followed by a group photo session to commemorate the occasion. 

Following the meeting, the delegation also visited the NCUI Haat and appreciated the initiative for promoting cooperative products and enterprises. The delegates showed keen interest and purchased several cooperative products, reflecting their support for local cooperative entrepreneurship.

The visit marked a significant step in deepening cooperative ties between India and Brazil and reaffirmed the commitment of both nations to strengthen South–South cooperation and knowledge exchange in the cooperative and dairy sectors.