Prime Minister Narendra Modi today asked cooperatives to venture into new business areas like beekeeping and seaweed farming to help farmers double their income by 2022 and boost the rural economy.<br/><br/>He emphasized for keeping the cooperative spirit alive and strengthened.<br/><br/>The Prime Minister was addressing Sahkar Sammelan in New Delhi to mark birth centenary of Maharashtra-based cooperative leader Laxman Madhav Rao Inamdar.<br/><br/>Mr Modi said, there are several sectors in India where cooperative sector can grow and shine and make a positive difference.<br/><br/>He asked cooperatives to assess how farmers' income can be doubled by 2022 through their movement.<br/><br/>Stating that farmers are facing many hardships, Mr. Modi said, there is a need to establish a system to ensure farmers buy and sell at wholesale rates.<br/><br/>Speaking on the occasion, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said, government has provided 29 thousand crore rupees to cooperatives. He said, Centre will establish Laxman Inamdar cooperative institute at Gurugram next year.<br/><br/>The Prime Minister also released two books on Inamdar and other nine important leaders of cooperative movement.