Integrated Scheme on Agriculture Cooperation is a Central Sector Scheme of the government of India, implemented through the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC). It offers financial support to cooperative societies across the country so they can improve their economic condition and grow in a balanced way. The scheme is still open for cooperative societies and continues to be run under the Ministry of Cooperation.
Integrated Scheme on Agriculture Cooperation - Introduction
Integrated Scheme on Agriculture Cooperation, also known as Central Sector Integrated Scheme on Agricultural Cooperation (CSISAC), has been in operation since 2012-13. It came from the merger of two older schemes, the Restructured Central Sector Scheme for Assistance to NCDC Programmes for Development of Cooperatives and the Central Sector Scheme for Cooperative Education and Training. It is now looked after by the Ministry of Cooperation through the NCDC.
The main aims of this scheme are to:
- Provide financial support to cooperatives so their economic condition improves.
- Remove regional imbalances and speed up cooperative development in agriculture and allied sectors.
- Help cotton growers get better prices for their produce by adding value, and make sure weavers get good quality yarn at fair rates.
- Support overall development of selected districts through cooperative efforts in agriculture and related fields.
- Assist national level cooperative federations and multi state cooperative societies in the agriculture sector with promotional and skill training work.
Main components of the scheme include:
- Financial support for NCDC programmes covering marketing, processing, storage, consumer and weaker section programmes, along with computerization of primary agricultural cooperative credit societies, district central cooperative banks and state cooperative banks. It also covers technical and promotional cell schemes for strengthening state cooperative federations.
- Support for cotton development including ginning, pressing and setting up or modernizing cooperative spinning mills.
- Integrated cooperative development projects in selected districts.
Key Information
| Scheme Name | Integrated Scheme on Agriculture Cooperation |
| Level | Central |
| Scheme For | Infra |
| Beneficiary States | All |
| Category | Agriculture, Rural & Environment |
| Target Beneficiaries | Individual |
| Benefit Type | In Kind |
| DBT Scheme | No |
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Cooperation |
| Nodal Department | Department of Agriculture and Cooperation |
| Open Date | 2012-01-01 |
| Tags | Financial Assistance, Improve Economic Conditions, Loan |
Benefits
Grant-in-aid under Integrated Scheme on Agriculture Cooperation is given for projects related to weaker sections, women cooperatives and labour cooperatives. The percentage of grant depends on how developed the state is in cooperative terms.
| Category of State | Grant-in-aid Percentage |
|---|---|
| Cooperatively least developed (for example Assam, Bihar, Manipur, Sikkim) | 25% |
| Cooperatively under-developed (for example Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha) | 20% |
| Cooperatively developed (for example Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Punjab) | 15% |
Eligibility
To take part, a cooperative society should meet these conditions:
- Operational Scope: Work should relate to agricultural marketing, processing, storage, computerization, or support for weaker sections, tribal groups, dairy, fisheries or handloom cooperatives.
- Experience: The society should be registered for at least three years, keep a positive net worth for the last three years, and have relevant experience in the proposed project area.
- Legal Status: It must be registered under the Cooperative Societies Act of its state.
- Viability: The organization should be financially healthy with a strong record of work in agriculture or allied sectors.
Application Process
STEP 1 - Contact the Office of the Registrar of Cooperative Societies (RCS) or the relevant Commissioner in charge of the specific programme.
STEP 2 - You can also reach out to the Regional Offices of the NCDC directly.
STEP 3 - Find contact details and jurisdiction information on the official NCDC website under the Regional Directorate section.
STEP 4 - Download the common loan application forms available under the Application Form section of the portal and submit the detailed proposal there.
Documents
The NCDC decides the exact list of documents based on the nature and size of the proposed project. Make sure society registration records, financial audit reports for the past three years and the detailed project plan are ready.
References
FAQ's
What is Integrated Scheme on Agriculture Cooperation?
It is a Central Sector Scheme of the government of India, run through the NCDC, that supports cooperative development across the country.
What are the objectives of this scheme?
The objectives include providing financial support to improve the economic condition of cooperatives, reducing regional imbalances, helping cotton growers get better prices, and assisting cooperative societies with promotional and skill training work.
Who is eligible for Integrated Scheme on Agriculture Cooperation?
Societies registered under the state Cooperative Societies Act that work in agricultural marketing, processing or supply, have at least three years of experience and keep a positive net worth are eligible.
What types of projects receive support?
Support covers infrastructure such as godowns, cold storages, processing units, machinery purchase, marketing infrastructure and capacity building for members.
How much financial support can I get?
Grant-in-aid depends on the state's cooperative development status and ranges from 15% to 25% for specific programmes.
How should I apply for this financial support?
Submit a complete project proposal to the regional NCDC office or through the office of the Registrar of Cooperative Societies.
What factors decide project selection?
The NCDC looks at technical feasibility, financial viability, benefits to cooperative members and the overall development impact of the project.
When will the selection results be announced?
Results are usually shared within a few weeks after the project proposal is submitted and reviewed.
What are the main benefits for cooperatives?
Cooperatives get direct financial support, access to better technology, training, market expansion help and support in scaling up their existing work.