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

During the 10th Five Year Plan period (2002-2007), the development of co-operatives in India was prioritized as part of the government's efforts to promote inclusive growth, rural development, and empowerment of marginalized communities. The plan emphasized the role of co-operatives in poverty alleviation, employment generation, and sustainable agriculture. Here's a discussion of the key initiatives and developments in co-operatives during the 10th Five Year Plan:

1. Strengthening Agricultural Co-operatives:

• The plan focused on strengthening agricultural co-operatives, such as dairy co-operatives, farmer producer organizations (FPOs), and agricultural marketing co-operatives, to improve productivity, income, and livelihoods of small and marginal farmers.
• Initiatives like the National Dairy Plan and Operation Flood aimed to modernize dairy co-operatives, enhance milk production, and integrate small-scale dairy farmers into organized value chains.

2. Promoting Financial Co-operatives:

• Efforts were made to promote financial co-operatives, including credit co-operatives, cooperative banks, and microfinance institutions, to expand access to financial services in rural and underserved areas.
• The Self-Help Group Bank Linkage Program (SBLP) facilitated the formation of self-help groups (SHGs) and their linkage with co-operative banks, enabling access to credit, savings, and other financial services for women and marginalized groups.

3. Empowering Women through Co-operatives:

• The plan recognized the role of women's co-operatives in empowering women, promoting gender equality, and enhancing their socio-economic status.
• Initiatives like the Rashtriya Mahila Kosh (RMK) supported the formation and strengthening of women's co-operatives, providing financial assistance, training, and capacity-building support.

4. Enhancing Co-operative Education and Training:

• The plan emphasized the importance of co-operative education and training to build capacity, enhance governance, and promote best practices among co-operatives and their members.
• Institutions like the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR) and State Institutes of Rural Development (SIRDs) offered training programs, workshops, and skill development initiatives for co-operative stakeholders.

5. Promoting Multi-Stakeholder Co-operatives:

• Multi-stakeholder co-operatives, which involve participation from different stakeholder groups such as farmers, consumers, and workers, were promoted as a model for inclusive and participatory development.
• Initiatives like the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) supported the formation and capacity-building of multi-stakeholder co-operatives in various sectors, including agriculture, handicrafts, and services.

6. Strengthening Regulatory Framework:

• The plan recognized the need for a robust regulatory framework to ensure transparency, accountability, and good governance in co-operatives.
• Reforms were initiated to update and modernize co-operative laws, improve regulatory oversight, and promote self-regulation and compliance among co-operative societies.

In conclusion, the 10th Five Year Plan period witnessed significant strides in the development of co-operatives in India, with a focus on agricultural, financial, and women's co-operatives, multi-stakeholder models, capacity-building, and regulatory reforms. These initiatives contributed to enhancing the role of co-operatives in promoting rural development, empowering communities, and fostering inclusive and sustainable growth.