Sahakar Mitra Scheme Overview

The Sahakar Mitra Scheme is a Summer Internship Programme (SIP) launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, under the initiative of the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC). This scheme provides young professionals with short-term opportunities (not exceeding four months) to gain work-related learning experiences in the cooperative sector. It aims to benefit both cooperatives and interns by fostering innovative solutions and professional development.

Key Facts about Sahakar Mitra Scheme

• Launch Authority: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare
• Implementing Body: National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC)
• Duration: Maximum of four months
• Type: Paid internship (Total stipend: Rs. 45,000 for the entire period)
• Target Audience: Professional graduates and young professionals
• Official Website: Sahakar Mitra SIP

Objectives of the Sahakar Mitra Scheme

1. Learning Experience: Provide interns with hands-on experience in the cooperative sector, helping them apply their academic knowledge in a practical organizational context.
2. Innovation and Self-Reliance: Encourage young professionals to deliver innovative solutions to cooperatives, fostering self-reliance in line with the idea of 'Atma Nirbhar Bharat'.
3. Cooperative Business Orientation: Orient professional graduates towards the cooperative business model, encouraging them to engage in cooperative start-ups.
4. Leadership Development: Prepare interns for leadership or entrepreneurial roles in Farmer Producers Organizations (FPOs).
5. Support for Cooperatives: Assist emerging cooperatives or those in need with business plans and projects, providing assured project loans on liberalized terms for start-up initiatives.
6. Capacity Development: Promote capacity building within the cooperative sector.

Eligibility for Sahakar Mitra Scheme

Who can apply?

• Professional Graduates (Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree) in fields such as:
  • Agriculture
  • Dairy
  • Animal Husbandry
  • Veterinary Sciences
  • Fisheries
  • Horticulture
  • Textiles
  • Handloom
  • IT
• MBA Graduates or students in related fields, including:
  • MBA Agri-Business
  • MBA Cooperative
  • MBA Finance
  • MBA International Trade
  • MBA Forestry
  • MBA Rural Development
  • MBA Project Management
• Other Eligible Graduates:
  • M.Com
  • MCA
  • Inter ICAI (Institute of Chartered Accountants of India)
  • Inter ICWA (Institute of Cost and Works Accountants of India)

Key Points of Sahakar Mitra Scheme

• Financial Support: Interns receive a stipend of Rs. 45,000 for the four-month internship.
• Internship Capacity: A total of 60 interns are selected, with a maximum of two interns per Regional Office or institution.
• One-Time Participation: An individual can only participate in the Sahakar Mitra Scheme once.
• Registration: Eligible candidates must apply through the NCDC's official website via online registration.

Additional Information

The Sahakar Mitra Scheme aligns with the broader objective of promoting self-reliance (Atma Nirbhar Bharat) and supporting the cooperative sector's growth by nurturing young talent. This initiative offers a unique opportunity for students and professionals to contribute to the cooperative movement while gaining valuable experience.

For UPSC aspirants, understanding the scheme’s objectives, structure, and benefits is essential, as it reflects the government's focus on capacity building and economic empowerment through cooperatives.