Co-op aims at sustainable growth: Balu Aiyer

Differentiating the mission statements of likes of Walmart, Nestle and cooperative giant IFFCO International Cooperative Alliance (Asia-Pacific) Regional Director Mr Balu Iyer tried to drive home the point that cooperative model of development is indeed better suited for the sustainable and long-term growth of the economy.

He was speaking on the occasion of International Day of Cooperatives organized by NCUI on Saturday in N Delhi. The theme of discussion was “Cooperative Enterprises Achieve Sustainable Development for All”. The colourful audience included many students from Delhi school apart from cooperators from various sectors.

Referring to Cooperative Blueprint Balu said that it was aimed to usher in cooperative model as a preferred model of growth by the people by 2020. We need to bring it into policy dialogue, talk to all the stake-holders including the governments and convince them that cooperative has a role in sustainable development, Balu added.

Cooperatives from America to India care for the sustainable development model. Citing Iffco’s sustainability report Balu added that it has eye on environment protection and soil conservation. Balu added that people prefer cooperative as they feel invested in the company as well as in its brand.

J.N.L. Shrivastava, Managing Trustee, IFFCO Foundation speaking at the function on International of Cooperatives organised by National Cooperative Union of India today said that cooperatives in India cannot achieve sustainability if women leadership in cooperatives is not encouraged. He lamented that despite Constitutional Amendment Bill, the board of cooperative societies do not comprise of 2 women Directors. Key officials from International Cooperative Alliance Regional Office for Asia-Pacific (ICA-AP), African-Asian Rural Development Organisation (AARDO), NABARD etc. spoke on the occasion.

Manoj Nardeo Singh, Asst. Secretary General, ARRDO in his speech said that like World Cooperative Monitor devised by ICA must develop Sustainable Development Indicators. He lamented that cooperatives are neglected in crucial global development dialogues. He called the cooperative leadership to exert full pressure so that cooperatives find due place in post-2015 development agenda.

P.C. Chaudhari, Chief General Manager, NABARD speaking on the occasion said that effective measures must be undertaken to attract youth to cooperatives. Dr. Daman Prakash, Former Director ICA-AP, and a well known co-operator said that theme of sustainable development is fully relevant for cooperatives. He pointed out various draw-backs in Indian Cooperative Movement like lack of funds for education and training, bad functioning of Primary Agriculture Cooperatives, lack of cooperation between cooperatives etc.

Earlier, Dr. Dinesh, Chief Executive, NCUI said that cooperatives can achieve sustainable development by playing important role in food security and health-care. Ashok Dabas, Member, Governing Council, NCUI who proposed vote of thanks emphasised on the need for more involvement of school children in cooperatives.