In this article, we will tell you about a village that has the highest per capita income in India and one of the richest village in Maharashtra. All the institutions, companies, businesses, and agriculture in this village operate on cooperative principles. This village is not only among the richest villages in Maharashtra but also in the entire country.
However, it remains largely unnoticed by the media. I am sharing information about this village based on my experience and personal visit. I will explain what factors contribute to the high per capita income in this village and the surrounding areas.
The village with the highest per capita income in India is called Warna. Warna village is also known as Warananagar. It is located in Panhala taluka, Kolhapur district (Maharashtra). The Warna river flows through this village, making the land fertile. The visionary behind this village’s success was the late Shri. Tatyasaheb Kore.
In 1960, he established the Warna Cooperative Sugarcane Factory. Before that, the farmers there used to send their sugarcane to jaggery factories. Later, Tatyasaheb Kore established the Warna Cooperative Milk Factory on cooperative principles. He also established the Warna Cooperative Bank for the farmers. Today, the Warna Cooperative Group includes the Warna Bhagini Mandal (cottage industries), a chocolate factory, a paper mill, and the Warna Education Group.
Today, the Warna Sugarcane Factory has an annual turnover of ₹5000 crore. The Warna Cooperative Milk Factory’s annual turnover has reached ₹1500 crore. Also, the farmers’ deposits in the Warna Bank exceed ₹350 crore. Today, the Warna Education Group has established India’s first cooperative-based university, Warna University. More than 3000 students are studying at this university. This shows how much this village has developed due to the cooperative movement. Not a single farmer in this area is in debt. The annual income of every farmer and common person in this village and the surrounding area is over 3.50 lakhs. That is why this village is also called the Village with the Highest Per Capita Income in India
Although this village is small in terms of area, it has many facilities such as a supermarket, cinema hall, swimming pool, and garden. Every house in the village also has a water supply from the Gram Panchayat (village council). Every farmer here has a cattle shed with many cows and buffaloes. They supply the milk to the Warna Milk Cooperative, from which they earn a considerable profit.
Along with this, most farmers cultivate sugarcane in their fields. Almost all farmers supply their sugarcane to the Warna Sugar Factory. This also provides farmers with a significant profit. The happiness index of the people in this village is certainly high.
Many unemployed people in this area are getting jobs today because of the cooperative society here. Many engineers and skilled people have found good jobs here solely because of the cooperative. This cooperative society has also created employment opportunities for many women in the area. Just as Amul (milk) is famous in Gujarat, Warna is famous in Maharashtra. The development that has taken place in the Warna region is similar to the development brought about by Amul in Gujarat.
The people of this area buy their goods from Warna Bazaar. When the Warna Bazaar supermarket was established, it had only one branch; today, Warna Bazaar has more than 50 branches. Warna Bazaar comes under the Warna Cooperative Group. The President of India, the Honourable Draupadi Murmu, also visited Warna village last year. She was also overwhelmed by the development of the Warna area. She has also praised the Warna development model in many of her speeches.
Today, the annual turnover of the Warna area is more than 25,000 crore rupees. Every farmer here owns a four-wheeler and a two-wheeler. The residents don’t need to go to the city for shopping. All types of clothing and retail stores are available in this village. Many people from around the world visit this village. Visiting here helps one understand how development is achieved through cooperation.
The Warna Milk Federation produces many dairy products today, such as milk, yoghurt, paneer, ghee, ice cream, and milk powder. Warna’s Tetra Pak milk is supplied to the Indian Army and Indian Railways. Millions of liters of milk are sold every month. The Warna group, through Warna Agro Processing, also produces fruit jams and ketchup.
In many competitive exams or UPSC interviews, when questions are asked about cooperation, questions about the Warna cooperative development model are likely to be included. Therefore, you should have information about what cooperation is, cooperative laws, and cooperative development role models.
Thousands of students are currently studying at Warna University. Similarly, more than 10,000 students are studying in the schools and colleges under the Warna Cooperative Education Society. Today, Warna University offers degree programs in Engineering, Arts, Commerce, Science, etc. LLB (Law) education is also available. Undergraduate and postgraduate education is available here at subsidised fees for farmers’ children. Scholarships are also provided.
Conclusion –
Along with the Warna cooperative model, the cooperative role models of Baramati and Sangamner are also being discussed in the country today. The Warna village cooperative model is an ideal model for other villages. “Prosperity through cooperation” is Warna’s motto. Because of cooperation, the farmers and common people here are happy. Thanks to cooperation, the youth here have gained employment. The women of Warna village have become self-reliant. Due to cooperation, the per capita income of every person here is higher than in urban areas. The purchasing power parity of the people here is strong. Cooperation has led to the upliftment of the people.