The Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare recently announced the initiation of two new programs by the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC). These initiatives include the Sahakar Cooptube NCDC Channel and Guidance Videos on ‘Formation and Registration of A Cooperative.’
Sahakar Cooptube NCDC Channel
This unique channel strives to engage youth in the cooperative movement, which aims to empower farmers. Cooperatives can lessen risks associated with agriculture and other related sectors, offering a safeguard against exploitation. Furthermore, the Sahakar Cooptube NCDC Channel is set to enhance the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, wherein the government has introduced transformative actions and sector-specific financial aid to support agriculture.
The establishment of this channel is an important stride towards One Nation One Market. This mission endeavors to make India a global provider of food products.
Guidance Videos
The National Cooperative Development Corporation has developed these guidance videos on ‘Formation and Registration of A Cooperative’. They have been created in Hindi and regional languages for 18 different states. The videos aim to fortify the government’s major efforts to form 10,000 Farmer-Producer Organisations (FPOs). The creation of FPOs under the “One-Product One-District” approach is one such significant initiative.
National Cooperative Development Corporation Formation
Established by an Act of Parliament in 1963, NCDC functions as a statutory Corporation under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare. The primary objectives of NCDC include planning and promoting projects for agricultural produce, foodstuffs, industrial goods, livestock, and some other declared commodities and services based on cooperative principles.
NCDC operates from its Head Office in New Delhi along with multiple Regional Offices. The organization holds the exclusive status of being the only statutory organisation working as a top financial and developmental institution dedicated to the cooperative sector.
Recent Initiatives by NCDC
Mission Sahakar 22 is one of the key initiatives by NCDC, which is designed to double farmers’ income by 2022. The Scheme on Internship Programme (SIP), named Sahakar Mitra, is another recent program introduced by NCDC.
Understanding Cooperatives
According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), a cooperative is an autonomous association of individuals who join voluntarily to address their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly owned and democratically controlled enterprise. FPOs serve as perfect examples of cooperatives. An FPO, formed by a group of farm producers, is a registered body where producers are shareholders. It handles business activities related to the farm produce.
Cooperatives in India and Agriculture
In India, cooperatives mostly function as associations of small farmers, marginal farmers, and the rural poor. With over 8.50 lakh organizations and 290 million members, these cooperatives have a vast network. They have significantly contributed to improving farmers’ conditions and boosting economic development within the country.
Indian Constitution and Provisions related to Cooperatives
The Constitution (97th Amendment) Act, 2011 introduced a new Part IXB following Part IXA (Municipals), regarding the cooperatives operating in India. The term “cooperatives” was included after “unions and associations” in Article 19(1)(c) under Part III of the Constitution. This amendment gives all citizens the right to form cooperatives. A new Article 43B added into the Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV) pertains to the “promotion of cooperative societies”.
