Discuss the development of Co-operatives under 10th Five Year Plan.

During the 10th Five Year Plan (2002-2007), the development of cooperatives in India received significant attention as part of the broader agenda for rural and agricultural development. The plan aimed to strengthen the cooperative movement to empower rural communities, enhance agricultural productivity, and promote socio-economic inclusion. Here's a discussion of the key initiatives and achievements:

1. Promotion of Farmer Cooperatives: The plan emphasized the promotion of farmer cooperatives to empower small and marginal farmers by providing them with collective bargaining power, access to resources, and market linkages. Special focus was placed on organizing farmers into cooperatives for activities such as input procurement, credit provision, marketing, and value addition.

2. Credit Cooperatives: The plan focused on revitalizing and strengthening credit cooperatives to improve access to affordable credit for rural households, particularly farmers. Efforts were made to restructure and modernize cooperative credit institutions, enhance their financial viability, and expand their outreach to underserved areas.

3. Capacity Building and Training: Capacity building and training programs were conducted to enhance the managerial, technical, and entrepreneurial skills of cooperative members, leaders, and staff. Training initiatives covered various aspects of cooperative management, governance, financial management, marketing, and technology adoption to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of cooperative enterprises.

4. Promotion of Non-Farm Cooperatives: In addition to agricultural cooperatives, the plan also focused on promoting non-farm cooperatives in sectors such as dairy, fisheries, handlooms, handicrafts, and rural industries. These cooperatives aimed to diversify rural livelihoods, generate employment, and promote sustainable rural development beyond agriculture.

5. Women's Participation: Special emphasis was placed on promoting women's participation and leadership in cooperative activities to enhance gender equality and women's empowerment. Women's cooperatives were established or strengthened to address the specific needs and priorities of women farmers and entrepreneurs, including access to credit, markets, and training.

6. Technology Adoption: The plan encouraged the adoption of modern technologies and best practices in cooperative activities to enhance productivity, quality, and competitiveness. Efforts were made to facilitate the transfer of technology to cooperatives through research and extension services, partnerships with agricultural universities and research institutions, and technology demonstration projects.

7. Policy Support and Institutional Reforms: Policy support and institutional reforms were undertaken to create an enabling environment for the growth and sustainability of cooperatives. Legal and regulatory frameworks were reviewed and revised to address governance issues, streamline administrative procedures, and promote transparency and accountability in cooperative management.

Overall, the 10th Five Year Plan laid the foundation for the revitalization and expansion of the cooperative movement in India, contributing to rural development, poverty alleviation, and inclusive growth. By promoting cooperative enterprises as vehicles for collective action, empowerment, and socio-economic development, the plan aimed to harness the potential of cooperative principles to address the diverse needs and aspirations of rural communities.