MNRE 015: Cooperatives and Farmers’ Organizations

The history of the cooperative movement in developing countries, the concept underlying the cooperative movement, the distinction between cooperatives and public /private sectors, and the extent of achievement of the inherent objective for the upliftment of peasantry and rural masses are important highlights of this course. The course will familiarize you with various aspects of the cooperative movement in developing countries in general and India in particular.

The different forms of cooperatives in agriculture and rural sectors; fundamental principles of cooperatives; laws, rules, and regulations; monitoring and human resources development essential for the success of cooperatives functioning are discussed. The course shall also expose to various types of farmers’ organizations and non-government organizations (NGOs) working for the betterment of the farming communities and the poor. You will learn the principles, and philosophy underlying people’s participation; characteristics, and process of self-help groups and their role in the socio-economic empowerment of rural people. The policy-making bodies related to cooperatives and farmers’ organizations are elaborately discussed.