The Sahakar Pragya Initiative is a program launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India, to promote and strengthen the cooperative sector in rural India. This initiative is implemented by the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) through its training wing, the Laxmanrao Inamdar National Cooperative Research and Development Academy (LINAC), located in Gurugram, Haryana.
The initiative focuses on training and empowering primary cooperative societies across the country by imparting knowledge, skills, and modern management practices. By modernizing cooperative operations and promoting digital practices, Sahakar Pragya aims to foster socio-economic development, rural entrepreneurship, and financial viability in the cooperative sector.
Why was the Sahakar Pragya Initiative Launched?
The cooperative sector plays a pivotal role in India’s rural economy. With over 8 lakh cooperative societies and around 290 million members, cooperatives act as a shield for farmers against unfair trade practices and agricultural risks. The Sahakar Pragya Initiative was launched to:
- Strengthen cooperative societies in rural India.
- Improve professionalism and governance within cooperatives.
- Promote digitalization and modern management techniques.
- Enhance financial sustainability and income generation for farmers.
- Support the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan by empowering rural communities.
When was the Sahakar Pragya Initiative Launched?
The Sahakar Pragya Initiative was officially launched on 24th November 2020 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. Since then, it has been actively working to uplift rural communities through capacity building, training, and digital interventions in the cooperative sector.
Who Implements the Sahakar Pragya Initiative?
The initiative is implemented by the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), which is a statutory body formed by an Act of Parliament in 1963. NCDC functions under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and is responsible for planning, promoting, and financing agricultural production, processing, and marketing through cooperative societies.
The training programs under the initiative are executed by LINAC (Laxmanrao Inamdar National Cooperative Research and Development Academy), NCDC’s research and development wing. LINAC was established in 1985 to enhance the capabilities of cooperatives and develop entrepreneurship and business development in the sector.
What are the Objectives of the Sahakar Pragya Initiative?
The Sahakar Pragya Initiative has a clear set of objectives aimed at strengthening India’s cooperative sector and empowering rural communities:
| Objective | Details |
| Professionalism in Cooperatives | Train cooperative societies in agriculture and allied sectors to improve professionalism and operational efficiency. |
| Capacity Building | Impart knowledge and skills to cooperative members, particularly in rural areas, to make them self-aware, independent, and capable of managing their cooperatives efficiently. |
| Modernization and Digitalization | Encourage adoption of modern management practices, digital platforms, and technology to improve cooperative governance. |
| Financial Viability | Strengthen financial stability and sustainability of cooperative societies. |
| Rural Development | Foster entrepreneurship, increase awareness of market dynamics, and promote inclusive growth in rural areas. |
| Implementation of 45 New Training Modules | Provide specialized training covering various aspects such as managerial skills, accounting, business development, role of women in cooperatives, and government schemes. |
What are the Training Components of Sahakar Pragya?
The Sahakar Pragya Initiative focuses on delivering structured training programs to primary cooperative societies through 45 dedicated training modules. These modules are designed to cover all aspects necessary for running cooperatives effectively and professionally.
- Communication and presentation skills for cooperative leaders.
- Managerial and leadership skills in agricultural cooperatives.
- Accounting, book-keeping, and financial management.
- Business development, asset management, and entrepreneurship.
- Role of women in governance and decision-making within cooperatives.
- Awareness about government schemes and financial assistance programs.
To enhance training accessibility, 18 Regional Training Centers (RTCs) have been established across the country. These centers play a crucial role in capacity building and ensuring that cooperative societies receive hands-on guidance and support.
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How does Sahakar Pragya Benefit Farmers?
The initiative provides numerous benefits to farmers and rural communities, including:
- Education and Skill Development
- Financial Protection
- Self-Reliance
- Inclusive Growth
- Digital Adoption
How does Sahakar Pragya Align with Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan?
The Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan emphasizes self-reliance, particularly in rural India. Sahakar Pragya directly contributes to this vision by:
- Strengthening cooperative networks as economic pillars for farmers.
- Encouraging digital literacy and modern management practices in rural areas.
- Enhancing income generation and reducing dependence on middlemen.
- Creating entrepreneurship opportunities through cooperative-led projects.
What Other Initiatives Complement Sahakar Pragya?
The NCDC has launched several complementary schemes under the Sahakar brand to support farmers and cooperative societies:
| Initiative | Launch Date | Objective |
| Sahakar-22 | 24th November 2020 | Provides employment opportunities through cooperatives and develops cooperatives in aspirational districts. |
| Yuva Sahakar | 14th November 2018 | Provides loans and support to youth-driven cooperative startups. |
| Ayushman Sahakar | 19th October 2020 | Supports cooperatives in establishing and modernizing healthcare infrastructure in rural areas. |
| Sahakar Mitra | 11th June 2020 | Offers internship opportunities for students and young professionals to learn cooperative management. |
What is the Significance of the Sahakar Pragya Initiative for India?
The Sahakar Pragya Initiative holds immense significance in multiple dimensions:
- Empowering Farmers: Over 94% of Indian farmers are members of primary cooperatives, and the initiative strengthens these institutions to protect farmers from risks and unfair practices.
- Boosting Rural Economy: Cooperative-led entrepreneurship contributes to income generation and employment opportunities.
- Promoting Financial Literacy: Farmers gain knowledge about government schemes and business practices.
- Gender Inclusivity: Women’s participation in governance and decision-making is encouraged.
- Supporting Atmanirbhar Bharat: Rural communities become self-reliant and resilient against market fluctuations.
- Capacity Building: Strengthens the NCDC and LINAC training ecosystem with 18 Regional Training Centers.
Key Takeaways of Sahakar Pragya Initiative
| Aspect | Details |
| Launch Date | 24th November 2020 |
| Governing Ministry | Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare |
| Implementing Agency | NCDC in collaboration with LINAC |
| Training Modules | 45 dedicated modules for primary cooperatives |
| Regional Training Centers | 18 RTCs across India |
| Objectives | Professionalism, capacity building, digitalization, rural development, financial viability |
| Beneficiaries | Rural farmers, cooperative members, women in governance |
| Complementary Initiatives | Sahakar-22, Yuva Sahakar, Ayushman Sahakar, Sahakar Mitra |
| Significance | Strengthening cooperatives, empowering farmers, promoting Atmanirbhar Bharat |
| Long-term Impact | Sustainable rural development, income enhancement, reduced farmer exploitation |
Questions Based on Sahakar Pragya Initiative
- When was the Sahakar Pragya Initiative launched?
a) 24th November 2018
b) 14th November 2018
c) 24th November 2020
d) 19th October 2020
e) 11th June 2020 - Which ministry governs the Sahakar Pragya Initiative?
a) Ministry of Finance
b) Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
c) Ministry of Rural Development
d) Ministry of Cooperation
e) Ministry of MSME - Which organization implements the Sahakar Pragya Initiative?
a) NABARD
b) LIC
c) NCDC
d) RBI
e) SIDBI - What is the role of LINAC in Sahakar Pragya?
a) Funding cooperatives
b) Training and capacity building
c) Conducting audits
d) Marketing agricultural products
e) Monitoring crops - How many training modules are included under Sahakar Pragya?
a) 18
b) 22
c) 45
d) 50
e) 30 - How many Regional Training Centers (RTCs) are established for Sahakar Pragya?
a) 12
b) 15
c) 18
d) 20
e) 25 - Which complementary initiative aims to support youth in the cooperative sector?
a) Ayushman Sahakar
b) Sahakar-22
c) Yuva Sahakar
d) Sahakar Mitra
e) PM KUSUM - Which of the following is a key objective of Sahakar Pragya?
a) Building airports in rural India
b) Strengthening cooperative societies
c) Providing urban housing
d) Regulating private banks
e) Importing agricultural machinery - How does Sahakar Pragya align with Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan?
a) By promoting foreign investments
b) By empowering rural communities and cooperatives
c) By providing urban employment
d) By increasing industrial imports
e) By regulating stock markets - Who was the Union Minister for Agriculture when Sahakar Pragya was launched?
a) Narendra Singh Tomar
b) Piyush Goyal
c) Amit Shah
d) Rajnath Singh
e) Nirmala Sitharaman
Also Read:
Answer Key:
| Question No. | Correct Answer |
| 1 | c) 24th November 2020 |
| 2 | b) Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare |
| 3 | c) NCDC |
| 4 | b) Training and capacity building |
| 5 | c) 45 |
| 6 | c) 18 |
| 7 | c) Yuva Sahakar |
| 8 | b) Strengthening cooperative societies |
| 9 | b) By empowering rural communities and cooperatives |
| 10 | a) Narendra Singh Tomar |
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