As part of Capacity Building Programmes under RKVY – 1, National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) organized two workshops where the officials and officers of the corporation were sensitized about formulation of the agriculture projects.First workshop “Identification, Preparation & Appraisal of Agricultural Projects” was held for departmental Officers comprising Dy. Registrar Cooperative Societies, Assistant Registrar Coop. Societies, Development Officers, Inspectors, Auditors of Cooperative Department & Senior Officers of Apex Federations. The other capacity building workshop “Developing Cooperatives as Rural Growth Centres” was held for General Managers/Secretaries of Coop. Societies & Elected Leaders/Members of the Managing Committee under RKVY. The twin programmes held from Dec 19 to Dec 23 were sponsored by Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India.In all, around 67 officers and officials attended the programmes.Secretary (Cooperatives), Government of J&K Hemant Kumar Sharma, presided over the valedictory function, while Bashir Ahmad Bhat, Registrar of Cooperative Societies J&K was the Guest of Honour. The objectives and importance of organizing the programmes were highlighted by the Project Directors from NCDC Topic Institute, Gurgaon. It was also explained that specific aim of these programmes is to enhance the participation of cooperatives in availing assistance available under RKVY for boosting the agricultural and allied activities and their contribution in national GDP.
The activities and interventions of NCDC in the State to strengthen the cooperatives through various schemes like ICDP, Poultry, Dairy etc, were also highlighted.In his address, the Secretary (Cooperatives) emphasized the need for diversification of business activities of the cooperative societies to serve its members in a better way and boost the agriculture production and its contribution in GDP.He also emphasized that more such projects should be formulated for availing assistance under various RKVY and NCDC schemes.Responding to the feedback provided by the participants, he also desired that more such capacity building programmes would be organized for the benefit of societies serving the farmers in the remote areas of the State and spreading the knowledge gained by the participants at gross root level.Registrar Cooperative Societies, J&K in his address emphasized the need for disseminating the knowledge and experience gained in these programmes with other members of the societies. He reminded the participants that they have to work to realize the goals set by the Minister (Cooperatives) J&K for involving / associating more & more youth of the State with the cooperative movement particularly youth, who constitute about 35% of the population. He also invited constructive suggestions from the co-operators in general and participants of the programmes, in particular regarding measures, steps to be taken at the level of government for revival of the cooperative societies and further strengthening the cooperative movement in the State.Both the officers complemented NCDC for conducting the programmes successfully and hoped that more such programmes shall be organized in near future.