India will host the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) Global Conference in November 2024, organized by IFFCO with support from 18 ICA member organizations. The event highlights India’s strong cooperative movement, encompassing 800,000 societies across 29 sectors.
Cooperative Societies:
- Member-owned organizations formed to address common economic, social, and cultural needs through self-help and mutual assistance.
- Focused on community welfare rather than profit.
Historical Evolution:
- Pre-Independence:
- Informal practices like Chit Funds and Mutual-Loan Associations
- Cooperative Credit Societies Act1904 formalized cooperatives but was limited to credit.
- Government of India Act1919 empowered provinces to legislate on cooperatives.
- Multi-Unit Cooperative Societies Act1942 regulated cooperatives across provinces.
- Post-Independence:
- Five-Year Plans integrated cooperatives into economic development.
- Key initiatives:
- National Cooperative Development Corporation (1963).
- NABARD (1982).
- 97th Constitutional Amendment Act (2011):
- Made forming cooperatives a fundamental right (Article 19).
- Introduced Article 43-B for state policy on cooperatives.
- Added Part IX-B (Articles 243-ZH to 243-ZT) for cooperative governance.
- Ministry of Cooperation (2021): Reinforced cooperatives’ role in economic progress.
Key Initiatives and Recent Developments
- Ministry of Cooperation’s Efforts:
- Sahakar Se Samriddhi: Connecting villages to cooperatives.
- Computerization of PACS: Modernizing 63,000 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies.
- New Multipurpose PACS: Serving rural needs like dairy, fisheries, and grain storage.
- Government Programs:
- Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs): Strengthening farmers’ market access.
- PM Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra: Using PACS to provide affordable medicines.
- Decentralized Grain Storage Plan: Reducing waste via PACS-level infrastructure.
- PM-KUSUM Convergence: Promoting solar-powered irrigation through cooperatives.
- Social and Economic Impact:
- Financial Inclusion: Cooperatives bridge credit gaps for farmers and entrepreneurs.
- Women Empowerment: Women-led cooperatives improve economic opportunities in rural areas.
Types of Cooperatives in India
- Consumers’ Cooperatives: Offer goods at reasonable prices, e.g., Kendriya Bhandar.
- Producers’ Cooperatives: Support small producers with materials and equipment.
- Marketing Cooperatives: Enable collective selling of products, e.g., AMUL.
- Credit Cooperatives: Provide financial services, e.g., Urban Cooperative Banks.
- Farming Cooperatives: Facilitate large-scale farming benefits for small farmers.
- Housing Cooperatives: Develop cost-effective housing, e.g., Employees’ Housing Societies.
Significance
- Economic Decentralization: Promotes rural development and grassroots participation.
- Social Equity: Enhances opportunities for marginalized communities.
- Sustainability: Encourages eco-friendly practices through initiatives like solar farming.
India’s cooperative movement reflects its commitment to inclusive growth, social welfare, and sustainable development. Hosting the ICA Global Conference is an opportunity to showcase this strength and explore new pathways for cooperative-driven progress.
