Despite best efforts, IFFCO Chairman Dileep Sanghani failed to dent the Korean dominance in the Presidential elections of ICAO, a sectoral organization of the International Co-operative Alliance.
The votes were cast today wherein Sanghani got 13 votes whereas his rival from South Korea received 20 votes. Despite a massive show, there was a sense of disappointment among co-operators from India.
The news in fact stunned co-operators in large numbers who were waiting for a positive outcome. Sanghani had himself toured several countries seeking votes in his favor but luck did not smile on him.
It bears recalling that the International Co-operative Agricultural Organisation (ICAO) is a sectoral organization of the International Co-operative Alliance. It exists to safeguard the interests of its member organizations, to pursue research into the latest developments in the agricultural co-operative movement, to promote mutual understanding and economic collaboration between agricultural co-operatives on the one hand and farmers and other types of co-operatives (eg consumers’, fisheries, insurance, housing, etc) on the other, both worldwide and at the local level.
There are about 41 agricultural co-operatives across the globe that are members of ICAO. South Korea has been at its helm for the last 20 years and as a result, has cultivated many friends over time.
Asia Pacific has the highest number of votes (18) with India having three votes-IFFCO, NAFED, and NAFSCOB. Korea itself has about two votes. Tarun says IFFCO has a long-standing relationship with countries like Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and many others and we bank on them without an iota of doubt. Europe has 10 votes while America and Africa have 6 and 7 each respectively.
The details of how Sanghani lost is awaited. Keep glued to www.indiancooperative.com