The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Government of India launched the Sahakar Mitra - Scheme on Internship Programme (SIP) on June 11, 2020. It is managed by the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC). The scheme was developed in accordance with the AtmaNirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative. It emphasises the value of Vocal for Local. 

Source: PIB

This topic of the Sahakar Mitra Scheme is important from the perspective of the UPSC IAS Examination, which falls under General Studies Paper 3 (Mains) and General Studies Paper 1 (Preliminary) and particularly in the Economics section of the UPSC IAS EXAM. In this article, we shall discuss the ‘Sahakar Mitra Scheme 'and learn about National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) Internship Programme (SIP), Its objectives, Eligibility & More. 

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What is Sahakar Mitra Scheme?

The SAHAKAR MITRA Scheme on Internship Programme (SIP) is a plan wherein NCDC will provide short-term (no more than 4 months) opportunities for young professionals to gain learning experience by applying skills and knowledge in an organizational context to support professional development.

The SAHAKAR MITRA Scheme aims to allow professional graduates the opportunity to gain experience in areas of NCDC functioning and related cooperative aspects.

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Overview of Sahakar Mitra Scheme

Objectives of the Sahakar Mitra Scheme

Here are the objectives of the Sahakar Mitra Scheme:

• To provide training and capacity building to youth and professionals. 
• To enable them to take up employment or self-employment in the field of cooperative development.
• To promote entrepreneurship and innovation in the cooperative sector.
• To strengthen the cooperative sector and make it more vibrant and responsive to the needs of the people.
• To promote the concept of "Vocal for Local."
• To create a pool of skilled and trained manpower in the cooperative sector, contributing to the development of the sector.

Eligibility Criteria for the Sahakar Mitra Scheme

The eligibility requirements for the Sahakar Mitra Scheme include:

• There is no specific age limit mentioned for eligibility under this scheme. Individuals of all age groups can apply.
• Applicants should have a minimum educational qualification of at least a high school diploma or equivalent.
• The scheme is primarily targeted towards individuals or organizations associated with cooperative societies. This includes members, employees, or officials of such societies.
• Applicants should have a certain level of experience in the cooperative sector. The exact experience requirement may vary and will be specified by the implementing agency.
• It is important to have a good track record in terms of financial and legal compliance. Any past defaults or legal issues may affect eligibility.

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Key pointers on Sahakar Mitra Scheme

Some of the key pointers of the Sahakar Mitra Scheme include the following:

• The Sahakar Mitra Scheme aims to promote cooperative-based entrepreneurship. It specifically focuses on Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe youth.
• It envisions to train 5 lakh youth as 'Sahakar Mitras' or cooperative ambassadors over a period of 5 years.
• The trained youth will help establish 10,000 new cooperative societies across the country.
• Under the scheme, youth aged between 18 to 35 years will be selected. They will be trained to become entrepreneurs through cooperatives.
• They will be trained in aspects like:
  • leadership, business planning, project preparation, and financial management.
• After the training, Sahakar Mitras will help establish new cooperative societies. They will also help guide existing ones.
• The scheme aims to generate self-employment opportunities through the cooperative model.
• It also seeks to promote a cooperative culture and ethos of self-help, mutual help, and self-reliance in the country.
• Sahakar Mitras will be selected through a transparent online selection process. They will be trained at institutes recognized by the Ministry of Cooperation.

Also, read about the Sahakar Pragya Initiative here!

Selection Process of Sahakar Mitra Scheme

Only online applications will be accepted. 

Prospective interns will be shortlisted by committees, as directed by MD, based on a review of their bio-data and recommendations from the sponsoring institutions.

An officer designated as a 'Mentor' will supervise the intern for the purpose of providing orientation, guidance, special assignments, and other SIP-related activities.

Interns will be assigned to HOs, LINACs, and ROs based on their preferences and the needs of NCDC.

Limitations of the Selection Process

• The duration of the internship for an individual shall not exceed four months.
• An individual cannot be taken as an intern more than once.

Also, read about the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) here!

Financial Support Provided

The Sahakar Mitra Scheme provides financial assistance to interns for the duration of their internship, which is 4 months. The total amount allocated for the internship is Rs. 45,000.

Also, read about the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan here!

About NCDC 

The National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) is a statutory body or corporation established by an act of the Indian Parliament in 1963.

Also, read about the Public Private Partnership here!

Conclusion

Government-academic-industry-civil society ties will be strengthened by the Sahakar Mitra Scheme. Additionally, NCDC should create some other methods for evaluating cooperative performance and encourage them to perform better.

Also, read about the National Agriculture Market (eNAM) here!

UPSC Previous Year Questions

Q1. What are the present challenges before crop diversification? How do emerging technologies provide an opportunity for crop diversification? (UPSC Mains 2021, GS Paper 3).

Q2. What are the main constraints in the transport and marketing of agricultural produce in India? (UPSC Mains 2020, GS Paper 3).

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