Unit 4: Apex Co-operative Institutions in India

Apex Co-operative Institutions in India

In India, the cooperative movement is supported by a three-tier structure:

Level	Example	Function
Primary Level	Village or local cooperatives (e.g., Primary Agricultural Credit Societies – PACS)	Directly serve individual members.
District / State Level	District Central Cooperative Banks, State Cooperative Federations	Supervise and support primary cooperatives.
National (Apex) Level	NABARD, NCDC, NDDB, NAFED, IFFCO, KRIBHCO, AMUL	Provide financial, technical, and policy-level guidance.

Meaning of Apex Cooperative Institutions: These are national-level cooperative organizations that provide finance, guidance, coordination, and marketing support to state and district-level cooperatives. They play a major role in strengthening and promoting the cooperative movement across India.

Role and Functions of Major Apex Cooperative Institutions

A. NABARD – National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development

Established: 1982
Headquarters: Mumbai
Type: Apex Development Bank for agriculture and rural sectors

Main Roles and Functions

Role / Function	Explanation in Simple Words
1. Refinance Institution	Provides refinance (loan support) to cooperative banks, RRBs, and other rural financial institutions.
2. Development Role	Promotes rural infrastructure, self-help groups (SHGs), and microfinance programs.
3. Supervisory Role	Regulates and monitors cooperative banks and regional rural banks (RRBs).
4. Policy Planning	Advises the government on rural credit policies and agricultural development plans.
5. Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF)	Finances irrigation, roads, bridges, and rural markets through RIDF.

Example: NABARD gives refinance to cooperative banks for crop loans, dairy projects, and rural entrepreneurship.

B. NCDC – National Cooperative Development Corporation

Established: 1963
Headquarters: New Delhi
Type: Financial and promotional institution for cooperatives

Main Roles and Functions

Role / Function	Explanation
1. Financial Assistance	Provides loans and grants to cooperatives for production, processing, storage, and marketing.
2. Project Development	Helps in preparing and financing cooperative projects in agriculture, dairy, and fisheries.
3. Capacity Building	Organizes training and workshops for cooperative managers and board members.
4. Sectoral Support	Supports sectors like sugar, handlooms, livestock, fertilizers, and consumer cooperatives.
5. Coordination Role	Coordinates with state governments and other agencies for cooperative development.

Example: NCDC finances dairy and fruit processing cooperatives and supports cold storage facilities.

C. NDDB – National Dairy Development Board

Established: 1965
Headquarters: Anand, Gujarat
Type: Apex organization for dairy cooperatives

Main Roles and Functions

Role / Function	Explanation
1. Operation Flood Program	Launched India’s “White Revolution” — making India the world’s largest milk producer.
2. Support to Dairy Cooperatives	Provides technical, managerial, and financial assistance to dairy cooperatives.
3. Infrastructure Development	Helps in establishing milk collection centers, chilling plants, and dairy processing units.
4. Training and Research	Conducts training for dairy farmers and cooperative employees.
5. Animal Health and Breeding Programs	Promotes cattle breeding, vaccination, and veterinary care.

Example: NDDB helped create famous dairy brands like Amul and Mother Dairy.

D. NAFED – National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd.

Established: 1958
Headquarters: New Delhi
Type: Apex body for agricultural marketing cooperatives

Main Roles and Functions

Role / Function	Explanation
1. Marketing Support	Helps farmers market their produce to get fair prices.
2. Procurement Operations	Procures pulses, oilseeds, and horticultural crops under government schemes (like MSP).
3. Export and Import	Exports agricultural products and imports fertilizers, food grains, and edible oils.
4. Price Stabilization	Maintains buffer stocks to control price fluctuations.
5. Support to State Cooperatives	Helps state-level marketing federations and farmer societies in trading activities.

Example: NAFED buys farmers’ produce when market prices fall below the minimum support price (MSP).

E. IFFCO – Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited

Established: 1967
Headquarters: New Delhi
Type: Multi-State Cooperative Society

Main Roles and Functions

Role / Function	Explanation
1. Fertilizer Production and Distribution	Produces and supplies fertilizers like urea and DAP to farmers through cooperatives.
2. Member Welfare	Provides training, insurance, and education programs for farmers.
3. R&D Activities	Conducts research to improve fertilizer efficiency and soil health.
4. Digital and Rural Initiatives	Promotes rural communication, e-commerce, and digital farming tools.
5. International Presence	Exports fertilizers and has partnerships in Oman, Dubai, and Senegal.

Example: IFFCO is one of the world’s largest cooperative fertilizer producers, serving millions of Indian farmers.

F. KRIBHCO – Krishak Bharati Cooperative Limited

Established: 1980
Headquarters: Noida, Uttar Pradesh
Type: Multi-State Fertilizer Cooperative Society

Main Roles and Functions

Role / Function	Explanation
1. Fertilizer Manufacturing	Produces and supplies urea and bio-fertilizers to farmers.
2. Promotion of Bio-Fertilizers	Encourages eco-friendly and sustainable farming.
3. Farmer Training Programs	Organizes agricultural training, seminars, and field demonstrations.
4. Support to Member Societies	Provides marketing and extension support to cooperative societies.
5. Rural Development Activities	Works for water conservation, sanitation, and women empowerment.

Example: KRIBHCO runs large fertilizer plants in Hazira (Gujarat) and promotes organic farming.

G. AMUL – Anand Milk Union Limited

Established: 1946
Headquarters: Anand, Gujarat
Type: Apex dairy cooperative under Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF)

Main Roles and Functions

Role / Function	Explanation
1. Dairy Production and Marketing	Collects milk from farmers and markets products like butter, ghee, cheese, and milk powder.
2. Farmer Empowerment	Ensures fair and timely payment to milk producers.
3. Employment Generation	Provides livelihood to millions of rural families.
4. Innovation and Branding	Introduced world-famous Amul brand and modern dairy technologies.
5. Model for Cooperative Success	Serves as a role model for other dairy cooperatives across India.

Example: AMUL’s “White Revolution” turned India from a milk-deficient country to the world’s top milk producer.

Summary Table

Institution	Full Form	Established	Main Role / Focus Area
NABARD	National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development	1982	Rural finance and development
NCDC	National Cooperative Development Corporation	1963	Financial support to cooperatives
NDDB	National Dairy Development Board	1965	Dairy development and milk production
NAFED	National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation	1958	Agricultural marketing and price support
IFFCO	Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited	1967	Fertilizer production and farmer support
KRIBHCO	Krishak Bharati Cooperative Limited	1980	Fertilizers and sustainable agriculture
AMUL	Anand Milk Union Limited	1946	Dairy marketing and farmer empowerment

Conclusion

Apex cooperative institutions like NABARD, NCDC, NDDB, NAFED, IFFCO, KRIBHCO, and AMUL play a vital role in promoting self-reliance, rural development, and economic growth in India.
They provide finance, training, marketing, and infrastructure support to millions of farmers and rural producers.

🟢 “Apex cooperatives are the backbone of India’s cooperative movement — empowering farmers, strengthening rural economy, and ensuring inclusive growth.”

Co-operative Education and Training in India

Education and training are the backbone of the cooperative movement.
Without proper knowledge and understanding, members, employees, and leaders cannot run cooperatives successfully.

Cooperative Education means teaching cooperative members about the principles, values, and functioning of cooperatives.
Cooperative Training means giving practical skills to manage cooperative societies effectively — such as accounting, leadership, marketing, and governance.

Importance of Cooperative Education and Training

Point	Explanation in Simple Words
1. Awareness	Helps members understand cooperative principles and their rights and duties.
2. Efficiency	Trains managers and staff to run cooperatives efficiently and professionally.
3. Leadership Development	Develops strong and democratic cooperative leaders.
4. Reduces Mismanagement	Prevents corruption and mismanagement through education.
5. Promotes Growth	Educated members contribute better ideas and innovation.
6. Builds Unity	Creates team spirit and a sense of belonging among members.

In short: Education makes cooperatives “people-driven,” and training makes them “performance-driven.”

Major Institutions for Cooperative Education and Training in India

Several institutions at the national, state, and district levels are responsible for cooperative education and training.

A. NCUI – National Cooperative Union of India

Established: 1929 (as All India Cooperative Institutes Association, renamed in 1961)
Headquarters: New Delhi

Functions:

Function	Explanation
1. Cooperative Education	Conducts awareness programs and seminars for cooperative members and youth.
2. Research and Publications	Publishes books, journals, and reports on cooperative topics.
3. Coordination	Acts as the apex body for all cooperative unions in India.
4. Representation	Represents India in the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA).
5. Training and Leadership Programs	Organizes workshops for cooperative leaders and women members.

B. NCCT – National Council for Cooperative Training

Established: 1962
Managed by: NCUI
Purpose: To oversee and coordinate training programs across India.

Functions

Function	Explanation
1. Designing Training Programs	Creates training courses for managers, accountants, and board members.
2. Managing Training Institutes	Controls institutions like VAMNICOM and State Cooperative Training Institutes (CTIs).
3. Research & Development	Conducts studies on cooperative management and rural development.
4. Human Resource Development	Trains people to take up leadership roles in cooperatives.

C. VAMNICOM – Vaikunth Mehta National Institute of Cooperative Management

Established: 1967
Location: Pune, Maharashtra
Affiliated to: NCCT

Functions

Function	Explanation
1. Training & Education	Provides professional courses in cooperative management, marketing, and finance.
2. Research & Consultancy	Offers consultancy services to cooperatives and government bodies.
3. Postgraduate Programs	Offers PGDM in Cooperative Business Management (recognized by AICTE).
4. International Cooperation	Works with ICA and other countries for cooperative training.

D. State Cooperative Unions and Training Institutes

Every state has its own State Cooperative Union and State Cooperative Training Institute (CTI) that conduct:

• Short-term and long-term training programs
• Orientation courses for society members and office bearers
• Educational campaigns at district and block levels

Cooperative Day

Cooperative Day is celebrated to honor and promote the cooperative movement worldwide.

Particular	Information
Name	International Day of Cooperatives (also called Cooperative Day)
Observed on	First Saturday of July every year
Started by	International Cooperative Alliance (ICA)
Objective	To increase public awareness about cooperatives and their contribution to social and economic development.

Themes

Every year, ICA declares a theme.
For example:

• 2023: “Cooperatives for Sustainable Development”
• 2024: “Cooperatives Build a Better Future for All”

Activities on Cooperative Day:

• Rallies, seminars, and exhibitions
• Award ceremonies for cooperative societies
• Awareness campaigns in schools and colleges

Cooperative Week

Cooperative Week is a national-level event celebrated in India to promote the spirit of cooperation and educate people about cooperative values.

Details

Particular	Information
Celebrated From	14th to 20th November every year
Organized by	National Cooperative Union of India (NCUI) and State Cooperative Unions
Objective	To highlight the importance of cooperatives in nation-building and encourage participation.

Activities During Cooperative Week:

• Workshops, exhibitions, and essay competitions
• Training and awareness programs
• Awards for best-performing cooperatives
• Speeches and debates on cooperative development

Cooperative Flag

Symbolism: The Cooperative Flag represents the unity, equality, and harmony of the cooperative movement.

Design

• The flag has seven rainbow colors, symbolizing hope and diversity.
• These colors stand for the seven principles of cooperation —Voluntary membership, democratic control, economic participation, autonomy, education, cooperation among cooperatives, and concern for community.

Color	Symbolism
Violet	Unity
Indigo	Integrity
Blue	Cooperation
Green	Growth
Yellow	Warmth
Orange	Hope
Red	Courage and sacrifice

The flag is often hoisted on Cooperative Day and Cooperative Week celebrations.

Cooperative Journals

Cooperative Journals are magazines and publications that spread knowledge, news, and research about cooperatives.

Objectives

• To share success stories of cooperatives
• To educate members and leaders
• To publish research, laws, and government updates related to cooperatives

Important Cooperative Journals in India

Journal Name	Published By	Purpose
The Cooperator	NCUI	Leading monthly magazine on cooperative development.
Indian Cooperative Review	VAMNICOM	Academic and research-based journal for cooperative professionals.
Cooperative Perspective	NCCT	Focuses on management and training aspects.
Krishak Bharati Journal	KRIBHCO	Publishes agricultural and cooperative updates.
IFFCO Digest	IFFCO	Shares farmer welfare and cooperative achievements.

Summary Table

Topic	Key Points
Cooperative Education	Teaches principles, values, and rights to members.
Cooperative Training	Provides practical management and operational skills.
NCUI / NCCT / VAMNICOM	Main institutions for cooperative education and training.
Cooperative Day	Celebrated on first Saturday of July globally.
Cooperative Week	Celebrated in India from 14–20 November every year.
Cooperative Flag	Seven-color rainbow flag symbolizing unity and diversity.
Cooperative Journals	Spread knowledge, news, and research on cooperatives.

Conclusion

Education and training are essential for the success, transparency, and sustainability of cooperatives.
Events like Cooperative Day and Cooperative Week help in spreading awareness among the public.
The flag and journals symbolize the unity and knowledge-sharing spirit of the cooperative movement in India.

“Educated members build strong cooperatives — and strong cooperatives build a strong nation.”