Question : Co-operatives in Agriculture

(a) the details of the role played by co-operatives in the agriculture sector;

(b) whether it is a fact that 76 per cent of rural households have been covered through a network of over 8.5 lakh cooperatives with a membership of well over 25 crore and whether it is also true that the cooperatives can help small and marginal farmers in taking the benefits of higher minimum support price;

(c) whether it is also true that the cooperative sector has faced structural challenges like dormant memberships, lack of active participation of members in the management, politicalisation of cooperatives and bureaucratic control, if so, the steps taken by the Government to ensure the growth of cooperative movement in the right path;

(d) whether the Government proposes to strengthen the role of cooperatives in agricultural sector, if so, the steps taken by the Government in this regard; and

(e) the details of the performance of cooperatives in organic farming, milk production, poultry farming and fisheries, State-wise including Jharkhand?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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(a): The role of cooperative sector is important in agriculture sector as it supplies agricultural credit and inputs and has the potential to deliver goods and services in vital areas where state and private sector has not been able to do very much. The village Cooperative Societies provides strategic inputs for the agricultural sector. Cooperative Marketing Societies help the farmer to get remunerative prices, procurement of commodities as an agent of Government of India and Cooperative Processing units help in value additions to the raw products etc. Cooperative are also involved in programmes like fodder development, conservation and genetic up-gradation of indigenous breeds of Livestock etc. The cooperatives are also helping weaker sections of the societies for uplifting in their economy through diary, poultry & fisheries cooperatives.
Contd..2/-

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(b): As per statistical data compiled and published by National Cooperative Union of India (NCUI), over 8 lakhs cooperatives with a membership of well over 25 crores and having coverage in the rural areas have significantly contributed to the growth of agriculture sector in the country. Amongst others, Govt. of India has been implementing the scheme of Minimum Support Price (MSP) also through cooperatives which help small and marginal farmers in taking the benefits of the scheme.

(c) & (d): Cooperative sector, like any other sectors, also faces structural challenges. Central Government, through Central Sector Scheme on Agricultural Cooperation, Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) and Price Support Scheme (PSS) has been promoting the role of cooperatives in the agriculture sector. Assistance is provided to National Cooperative Union of India (NCUI) and National Council for Cooperative Training (NCCT) to provide training to farmers who are members and employees of various types of cooperative societies. Besides, assistance is provided to the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) for promoting, developing and financing post-harvest activities through cooperatives in agriculture sector. These comprise, inter alia, marketing, storage and processing of agricultural produce besides supply of agricultural inputs. Subsidy to the tune of 15% to 25% is provided to Cooperatives depending on the category of state in addition to term loan. Government also provides Guarantee for procurement operations of NAFED.

(e): The information relating to performance of cooperatives in milk production, poultry farming and fisheries registered under the various States Cooperative Societies Act is not being maintained by this Department.


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