Anantnag: The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), in collaboration with the Department of Cooperatives, on Tuesday celebrated the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) in Anantnag. The event, which coincided with NABARD’s 44th foundation day, brought together key stakeholders from the cooperative sector to underscore the vital role of cooperatives in driving socio-economic development.
The programme was attended by NABARD’s District Development Manager Rouf Zargar, Deputy Registrar of Cooperatives Anantnag Muzaffar Ahmad, Assistant Registrars from various cooperative blocks, staff of District Central Cooperative Bank (DCCB), representatives of agro-farm companies, and a large number of members from primary cooperative societies across the district.
Delivering the keynote address, DDM NABARD Rouf Zargar highlighted the significance of cooperatives in empowering rural communities and fostering inclusive growth. He spoke about the United Nations’ theme for the International Year of Cooperatives, “Cooperatives Build a Better World,” which aims to recognise the contributions of cooperatives toward achieving sustainable development.
Zargar also detailed several initiatives launched by the Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India, including the computerisation of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), formation of two lakh multipurpose PACS, adoption of model bylaws and SOPs, creation of cooperative databases and geo-tagging of societies, along with training and capacity building under the National Council for Cooperative Training (NCCT). He urged local cooperative societies to actively engage with these programmes and align themselves with the national cooperative growth agenda.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Registrar of Cooperatives Muzaffar Ahmad outlined key initiatives of the Jammu & Kashmir administration aimed at strengthening the cooperative ecosystem. These include schemes for the revival of dormant cooperatives, financial support for cooperative marketing and processing units, and dedicated schemes to encourage women-led cooperatives. He called upon youth and women to leverage these programmes to establish sustainable livelihoods through cooperative entrepreneurship.
As part of the celebrations, a tree plantation drive under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” initiative was also conducted. Dignitaries and participants planted saplings to promote environmental responsibility, reaffirming their commitment to nurturing cooperative values and working towards a self-reliant rural economy. The event concluded with a collective pledge to uphold cooperative principles and contribute towards building an inclusive and sustainable rural landscape.
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