The National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) is giving a fresh push to innovation and modernisation in the cooperative sector through its Sahakar Innovation Scheme (SIS), a grant-based initiative aimed at helping primary cooperative societies turn promising ideas into viable enterprises.
Launched in the financial year 2025-26, the scheme provides 100% grant assistance of up to Rs 25 lakh per eligible cooperative for innovative, viable and impactful projects. The initiative is intended to promote adoption of new technologies, development of innovative products and services, new business models, stronger market linkages and sustainability-oriented solutions. NCDC has also provided for loan assistance alongside the grant wherever additional funding is required.
The scheme assumes significance as cooperatives at the grassroots level often have innovative ideas but face difficulties in accessing adequate finance for taking those ideas beyond the conceptual stage. By offering grant support, SIS can help reduce the financial barrier for cooperatives seeking to modernise their operations, introduce technology or diversify into new areas.
The initiative has a broad potential application across sectors in which cooperatives operate, including agriculture, dairy, fisheries, food processing, marketing, storage and rural services. Projects involving digital solutions, value addition, improved production systems, innovative products and services or sustainable business practices can potentially enable cooperatives to become more competitive and responsive to changing market requirements.
The Sahakar Innovation Scheme also fits into NCDC’s broader effort to promote entrepreneurship and innovation within the cooperative movement. NCDC has previously operated initiatives such as Yuva Sahakar, which focuses on encouraging newly formed cooperatives with innovative ideas and supporting cooperative start-ups. The new scheme provides a distinct grant-based route for innovative projects, particularly at the primary cooperative level.
The focus on innovation is particularly relevant as India’s cooperative sector undergoes rapid digital and institutional transformation. Initiatives such as computerisation, technology-enabled services, value-chain development and improved market access are increasingly becoming central to strengthening grassroots cooperatives.
Through SIS, NCDC is seeking to encourage cooperatives to move beyond conventional activities and experiment with scalable and sustainable business solutions. The scheme could therefore play an important role in creating a culture of innovation within cooperatives while strengthening their economic viability, competitiveness and contribution to rural development.
The initiative ultimately seeks to ensure that innovative ideas emerging from the cooperative sector receive the financial support needed to develop into practical and sustainable enterprises, strengthening the broader objective of building modern, resilient and future-ready cooperatives.
