The Leadership Development Training Programme for Chairman and Directors of Marketing cooperatives consisting of 59 participants from the states of Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh were conducted by the NCCE- education arm of the apex co-op body NCUI, recently at its headquarters in Delhi.
The prime objective of the programme was to teach the participants how to manage the Marketing Cooperative Societies professionally. Besides training the latest marketing techniques, participants were also given a platform to interact with their counterparts from all over the states. This facilitated learning as they learnt how to make their units viable by effective functioning.
The programme was inaugurated by Dr. V. K. Dubey, who in his remarks stated that members of marketing cooperatives are playing an important role in strengthening the cooperative movement. There is need of technological changes in this sector by way of adopting new technologies, he said. Profit management will help in the betterment of marketing cooperatives in the country, he added.
Satya Narayana, Chief Executive, NCUI, New Delhi in his address felt that marketing Cooperatives in India are working very well. However, there is a need of professional aspects for the effective functioning. He also felt that there is a need of good governance, technological changes, effective communication and involvement of greater number of farmers in this sector for growth and development.
Satyanarayan emphasized that cooperatives can inculcate corporate culture to generate income, government schemes, business modules for double the farmers’ income. For this, timely intervention of PACS in the activities of marketing is needed, he stated.
Besides these, several experts from Government of India and renowned institutions spoke on qualities for effective cooperative leadership, role and responsibilities of board of directors in marketing cooperative societies, recent changes in cooperative law, experience of central sector scheme for promotion & development, understanding of financial statement and maintaining different account books of society, effective governance for cooperatives were discussed. The participants interacted in each and every session.
As part of the training programme, a study visit was undertaken by the participants to National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited (NAFED), New Delhi. V.K.Verma, Executive Director and other senior officials of NAFED welcomed the participants.
In the interactive session, participants came to know about the functionary of NAFED, Purchasing and Marketing schemes, and new venture in TOP (i.e Tomato, Onion & Potato) market and business development. Later on participants visited NAFED Bazaar.
The participants also got inputs about latest technologies, tricks in the management of marketing cooperative societies & challenges that come up in the working of a marketing co-operative.
During the programme, participants interacted with Doordarshan (Krishi Darshan Channel). Dr. A. R. Srinath Deputy Director & Course Coordinator proposed a vote of thanks on the occasion.