Lok Sabha Question No. 428 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-04
Subject: Sahakar Mitra Internship Scheme of NCDC
Ministry: COOPERATION
Asked by: Shri Dulu Mahato

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COOPERATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.428 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04 TH  FEBRUARY 2025

## Sahakar Mitra Internship Scheme of NCDC

## 428.   Shri Dulu Mahato:

Will the Minister of Cooperation ( सहकारिता मंत्री ) be pleased to state:

(a) the primary objective of the Sahakar Mitra Internship Scheme launched by the NCDC;

(b) the eligibility and selection criteria followed for interns under the Sahakar Mitra Internship Scheme in which are interns selected;

(c)  the  manner in which the Sahakar Mitra Internship Scheme contributes to the development of the cooperative sector in the country;

(d) the  key  focus  areas  of  the  Sahakar  Mitra  Internship  Scheme,  particularly  in  agriculture  and  rural development; and

(e) the manner in which the Sahakar Mitra Internship Scheme supports socio-economic development in the country?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF COOPERATION सहकारिता मंत्री (SHRI AMIT SHAH)

(a):  National  Cooperative  Development  Corporation  (NCDC),  a  statutory  corporation  under  the administrative  control  of  Ministry  of  Cooperation,  launched  Sahakar  Mitra  Internship  Scheme.  The objective of the Scheme are as under:-

- (i) to provide a deep immersion opportunity to professional graduates on the role, contribution and impact of NCDC and also cooperatives.
- (ii) to  enable  the  professional  graduates,  learn  the  context  and  practical  working  of  NCDC  and cooperatives.
- (iii) to orient professional graduates to the cooperative business model and engage themselves in startup cooperatives.
- (iv) to enable professional graduates take up leadership and/or entrepreneur roles in FPO organized under Cooperative Acts.
- (v) to assist needy cooperatives in preparation of business plans, projects plans and projects.

(b) : Individuals holding a professional qualification, such as a Bachelor's degree in Agri, Dairy, Animal Husbandry, Veterinary Sciences, Fisheries, Horticulture, Textiles, Handloom, or IT, are eligible for the Sahakar Mitra Internship Scheme. In addition, those pursuing or completing an MBA in Agri Business, Cooperative Management, M.Com, MCA, Finance, International Trade, Forestry, Rural Development, or Project Management can also apply. Candidates with Inter ICAI or Inter ICWA qualifications are considered as well. All applicants must have their qualifications duly recommended by the Head of the Department from UGC/AICTE/ICAR recognized Universities or Institutions. The selection process for interns under the scheme is based on their bio-data, along with the recommendation of the sponsoring institutions.

(c): The Sahakar Mitra Internship Scheme contributes significantly to the development of the cooperative sector in the country in several ways. It helps promote and enable young professional graduates to take on leadership and entrepreneurial roles within Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) organized under the  Cooperative  Act.  The  scheme  also  orients  these  graduates  to  the  cooperative  business  model, encouraging  them  to  engage  in  the  establishment  of  start-up  cooperatives.  Additionally,  the  scheme provides valuable assistance to cooperatives in need by helping them prepare business plans and projects, thereby strengthening their operational capacities and fostering growth within the sector.

(d): Under the Sahakar Mitra Scheme on Internship Program (SIP), NCDC offers internship opportunities to students of professional courses to gain learning experience in the areas of functioning of NCDC and related aspects of cooperatives. NCDC plans and promotes programmes on co-operative principles. The Finance  schemes  of  NCDC  cover  activities  such  as  agro-processing,  horti-processing,  credit,  inputs, computerization,  storage,  cold  chain,  textile,  handloom,  sugar,  ethanol,  dairy,  fisheries,  livestock, piggery,  poultry,  renewable  energy,  rural  housing,  scheduled  caste  and  scheduled  tribes,  women cooperatives, animal care/health, hospitality and transport, electricity and power, hospitals, healthcare and education etc.

(e):  The  Sahakar  Mitra  Internship  Scheme  aims  to  support  the  socio-economic  development  of  the country by enabling cooperative institutions to benefit from the innovative ideas of young professionals while providing interns with valuable field experience. It offers professional graduates practical exposure to the workings of the NCDC and cooperatives, helping them gain hands-on knowledge. Additionally, the scheme provides young professionals from academic institutions an opportunity to develop leadership and entrepreneurial skills through Farmer Producer Organizations established under Cooperative Acts.

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