The first ever India International Cooperatives Trade Fair (IICTF) is scheduled to take place at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. This event marks a novel approach that introduces farmers, artisans and other cooperative members directly to the international trade platform. The staging of this Trade Fair is a combined effort by the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), Network for the Development of Agricultural Cooperatives (NEDAC), various Ministries, State Governments and numerous leading Indian cooperative organizations.
About the IICTF
The IICTF is particularly aimed at certain sectors, which include textiles such as ginning spinning, power loom and textile processing. The focus also extends to agribusiness and food processing with areas like cold chain, packaging, and climate-smart agriculture. Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), Health and hospitality trade, marketing strategies such as agriculture produce marketing, transport and marketing infrastructure will also benefit from this initiative. Credit service, finance, insurance, and cooperative banking will also be included in the broad spectrum of sectors the IICTF encompasses.
Significance of the IICTF
The Cooperative sector carries substantial clout in doubling agricultural exports from a current total of US $ 30 billion to an anticipated US$ 60 billion by 2022, according to the projections in the Agriculture Export Policy 2018. With 94% of Indian farmers being part of at least one cooperative institution, the IICTF acts as an influential platform to boost exports by cooperatives.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Current Agricultural Exports | US $ 30 billion |
| Projected Agricultural Exports by 2022 | US $ 60 billion |
| Percentage of farmers in cooperatives | 94% |
Advantages to Cooperative Members
Not only is the trade fair deemed profitable for the cooperative organisations, but also offers direct benefits to their members who primarily consist of farmers, artisans, women and socially disadvantaged groups. The promotion of exports of key commodities and value chain products that carry high potential are backed by specific promotional initiatives. This includes the engagement of stakeholder entities and will undoubtedly assist in actualizing the target of Doubling the Farmers Income, thereby achieving the goals set under the Agri-Exports Policy 2018.
About NEDAC
The Network for the Development of Agricultural Cooperatives in Asia and the Pacific, or NEDAC, is a unique regional forum that connects 21 apex cooperative organizations across 12 countries. Established in 1991 by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)’s Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), these organizations in various countries represent three million agricultural cooperatives. These cooperatives play an intrinsic role in enhancing the livelihoods of 150 million rural households. Further, NEDAC encourages governments in the region to realize the significance of agricultural cooperatives in promoting agricultural and rural development. This is instrumental in ensuring food and livelihood security for hundreds of millions residing in Asia and the Pacific.
