Revive cooperative movement to boost Nagaland economy, minister urges

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G Kaito Aye addressing the program at the Capital Convention Centre, Kohima on Monday. (EM pictures)

Our correspondent
Kohima, November 14 (EMN):
Agriculture and Cooperation Minister G Kaito Aye on Monday stressed the need to revive the cooperative movement to develop a strong economy in the state of Nagaland.

He was addressing the inaugural program of the 69th All India Cooperative Week Celebration 2022 held at the Capital Convention Center in Kohima.

Arguing that the cooperative movement in Nagaland began in 1946 with the establishment of two cooperative societies, he said that the state government recognized the role of cooperatives in promoting economic and social democracy and in implementing democratic planning with the principle of a welfare state. He therefore established the Office of Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Nagaland, in 1966 after branching off from the Department of Agriculture.

Considering the important role of cooperatives in the development of the national economy, a separate Ministry of Cooperatives was established by the Indian government in July 2021, Aye said, adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had used the slogan “Prosperity through cooperation”. to strengthen the cooperative spirit in the country.

“Cooperatives are a tool to accelerate the pace of socio-economic development of the people, especially the weaker sections of the community,” he said.

“The Indian cooperative movement is the largest movement in the world, with more than 8.5 lakh cooperatives working in various fields of socio-economic activities,” he said.

The minister also affirmed that the Nagaland government has always played a proactive role in developing the cooperative movement in the state. In recent years, the government, taking advantage of social capital, has launched “One village, one cooperative society”, where each household is represented in the cooperative society.

He estimated that this company will be the economic counterpart of the Village Panchayat and will provide all credit and non-credit services to its members.

The Integrated Cooperative Development Project (ICDP), a Center Sponsored Program (CSS) with an overall cost of INR 52 crore, is a four-year compact area development project currently being implemented in the districts of Kohima, Tuensang , Kiphire, Peren and Longleng, and are declared nearing completion, he informed.

He indicated that the ICDP project resulted in the creation of six collection centers; 300 micro-PLCs; 42 pick-up sales vehicles; 18 marketing promotions; three personalized marketing buses; 304 piggeries; fruit preservation unit in Tuensang; two marketing complexes; and 1230 hectares of new agro/horticultural cultivation areas.

Non-functioning cooperative societies

Meanwhile, the Minister also observed that one of the main problems hampering the progress and development of the cooperative movement in Nagaland is the creeping presence of non-functional and single-member cooperative societies.

He maintained that a specific directive had been given to cancel all non-functioning cooperative societies and to date, 566 non-functioning cooperative societies have been cancelled. He also expressed hope that the ministry will take serious action even in the coming years.

Aye believed that the cooperative movement in Nagaland can be strong because the state has an organized community that can work together and develop a strong spirit of cooperation.

He claimed that the Cooperation, being a small department, does not receive huge funds from the state, which slows down the department’s progress and visibility.

The Minister also requested the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), the North East Initiative Development Agency (NEIDA), the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) and other funding agencies to extend all possible help and assistance to the cooperative movement of Nagaland in reaching out to farmers for the advancement of society.

Furthermore, Aye pointed out that the cooperative week should aim to strengthen the cooperative movement and focus on various activities of cooperatives.

He added that cooperative societies mainly work in rural areas and have become the engines of social and economic development of the people.

Earlier, Registrar of Cooperative Societies (RCS), Nagaland, Temjen Longkumer, in his keynote address highlighted the functions of cooperatives and maintained that cooperatives in Nagaland are still in a nascent stage. He asserted that people should move from a society of consumers to a society of producers through a cooperative path and learn to live in harmony with each other.

Meanwhile, Joint RCS, Thungchanbeni Patton, in the congratulation of the best integrated multi-purpose cooperative society, informed that there are 140 registered MPCS in the state.

On the occasion, Chendan Village Integrated Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd., Tuensang and Chedema Village Integrated MPCS, received cash prizes and certificates.

Representatives of the two winners shared their experiences, while Ketholenuo, Project Officer, NCUI-CEFP, spoke about empowering marginal farmers, and Abhijit Deb, Managing Director, NSCB Ltd., spoke about the federation at of State.

After the inaugural program, interactive sessions were held between officials from NABARD, NSRLM, NEIDA and the Department of Industries and Commerce and members of the comprehensive, moderate cooperative societies.

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