The Nagaland government is preparing a comprehensive State Cooperative Policy to revive dormant cooperative societies and strengthen the sector, even as 231 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) across the state have been computerised to improve transparency and service delivery.
The developments were highlighted during the celebration of the International Day of Cooperatives and Cooperative Week at Lok Bhavan, Kohima on Friday, where Governor Nand Kishore Yadav virtually inaugurated four model cooperative society offices.
In his keynote address, Cooperation Secretary Orenthung Lotha said the computerisation of 231 PACS marks a “major step towards modernising the cooperative credit system by streamlining operations, enhancing transparency and improving financial inclusion”. He said the proposed State Cooperative Policy would serve as a roadmap for implementing programs and projects more effectively while promoting inclusive and sustainable growth.
Lotha acknowledged that despite Nagaland’s potential in agriculture and allied sectors, including fisheries, livestock, poultry, handloom and multipurpose cooperatives, a considerable number of cooperative societies remain dormant or non-functional.
He said the department plans to revive these societies by strengthening institutional capacity, identifying the reasons for inactivity and aligning cooperative activities with local resources, community needs and market demand.
He also said the government is simplifying procedures and adopting more citizen-friendly systems to improve service delivery while encouraging cooperatives to expand beyond traditional agricultural credit into emerging livelihood sectors.
Addressing the program, Governor Yadav said cooperatives have played an important role in promoting inclusive growth and community development. He said Nagaland has considerable potential in dairy, fisheries, piggery, handloom, handicrafts and organic agriculture, and called for greater use of technology, stronger participation of youth and women, and professionally managed cooperatives to improve market access for farmers and producers.
Minister for Public Health Engineering and Cooperation Jacob Zhimomi said the cooperative sector has gained renewed momentum following the establishment of the Union Ministry of Cooperation in 2021. He said Nagaland is promoting digital transactions in cooperative institutions to improve transparency and ensure farmers receive better market access by reducing intermediaries.
The Governor also virtually inaugurated four model cooperative society offices at Thenumia Kehou Multipurpose PACS, Vidima Village; Shurho Multipurpose PACS, Kigwema Village; Chedema Multipurpose PACS, Chedema Village; and Punglwa B Village Women Livelihood and Credit Cooperative Society Ltd., Peren district.
The programme included a presentation on the achievements of the Cooperation Department over the past five years and experience-sharing sessions by representatives of successful rural cooperative societies, including Sungben Tsuyonger PACS, Tuli, Mokokchung, and Khiamnnyaan PACS, Noklak Village.
The week-long observance will continue with awareness programmes, plantation drives, cleanliness campaigns and outreach activities across the state to promote the cooperative movement.
