Sahakar Mitra Scheme

Sahakar Mitra Scheme is brought by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. This one is a Summer Internship Programme (SIP), which is also known as the Scheme on Internship Programme, and it was introduced in 2012-13. To run this scheme, National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) is liable, and they aim to provide benefits to both young professionals and cooperatives.

This article covers the fundamental information about Sahakar Mitra Scheme, its objective, benefits, and more relevant information. Let’s read ahead to know more.

What is Sahakar Mitra Scheme?

The Sahakar Mitra Scheme is an arrangement where NCDC is going to offer short-term (not more than four months) chances to interns (young professionals) to help them gain learning experience by implementing knowledge and skill in an organisational setting. The idea behind this scheme is to simplify professional development. This internship programme is for new professionals and students, so their work-relevant learning experience is maximised in the functioning of NCDC. They will get a chance to bring forth innovative solutions for the cooperative sector. Thus, it will be advantageous for both cooperatives and interns.

Objectives of the Sahakar Mitra Scheme

Here are the fundamental objectives of this scheme:

• The role, effect, and contribution of cooperatives and NCDC will be taught to the interns
• Practical and contextual working of NCDC will be taught to interns
• Professional graduates will get to focus on a cooperative business model to engage in startup cooperatives
• The scheme will offer opportunities to young professionals to take entrepreneurial and leadership roles in Farmer Producers Organisations (FPOs) that are arranged under cooperative acts
• It will assist the ones in need with projects, business plans, and thriving cooperatives via assured loans on relaxed terms to startup modes and cooperators
• It is also going to promote 'Vocal for Local' ideas
• The scheme will help with capacity development in the entire cooperative sector

Key Points of the Sahakar Mitra Scheme

Here are some key points of this scheme that should be considered to understand this initiative better:

• It offers financial support to interns for four months. A total of Rs. 45,000 is offered for the entire internship
• Those who are eligible can register for this scheme on the NCDC official website
• Up to 60 interns will be trained
• At a time, not more than two interns can be present in the regional office. In a year, only two interns will be recommended from a specific institution
• Once chosen, an intern cannot be re-selected
• One person cannot take the internship more than once
• Recommendations will be made by the Head of the Department of the ICAR / AICTE / UGC recognised institutes and universities to the Chief Director LINAC or the Regional Director NCDC, or the Head of HR Division in HO of NCDC
• Potential interns will get shortlisted by committees as agreed upon by MD on the Basis of the evaluation of their biodata and recommendations of the sponsoring institutes
• The interns will be placed at ROs / LINAC / HO depending upon their preference and the requirements of NCDC
• The interns will get supervised by a Mentor designated to offer assistance, orientation, and special assignment

How to apply for Sahakar Mitra Scheme?

You can only apply for this scheme online. To do so, follow these steps:

• First, make sure you have checked the eligibility criteria and that you match the same
• Then, visit the official website of NCDC
• On the homepage, click New Registration
• A new page will appear where you will find the application form
• Fill in all the required details, such as name, email ID, date of birth, mobile number, whether you have a recommendation letter, and password
• Click on the 'Captcha'
• And click on Register
• Now, you can log in to the website using your 'user ID and password'

Documents Required to Apply Online

To apply for this scheme, you will require the following:

• Birth certificate
• Aadhar card

Eligibility for Sahakar Mitra Scheme

Below-mentioned people are qualified to register for this scheme:

• A professional graduate with a minimum of bachelor’s degree (recommended by the Head of the Department of the ICAR / AICTE / UGC recognized institutions and universities in:

  • Agri
  • IT
  • Dairy
  • Handloom
  • Animal Husbandry
  • Textiles
  • Veterinary Sciences
  • Horticulture
  • Fisheries

• Professional MBA graduates (completed or pursuing) or professional graduates from:

  • MBA Agri-Business
  • Inter ICWA
  • MBA Cooperative
  • Inter ICAI
  • MBA Project Management
  • M.Com
  • MBA Rural Development
  • MCA
  • MBA Forestry
  • MBA Finance
  • MBA International Trade

Duties of Interns

If the intern is appointed at RO, they will:

• Concentrate on cooperative and come up with a project report or a business plan regarding the business’s expansion
• Submit a written report within two weeks of completing their internship and mention a detailed description of the completed work
• Highlight the gained experience and how they will use it in the future

Keep in mind that the report submitted by the intern will become the property of NCDC and that the intern will not get to claim it in any way. All the analysis, research, and study done by the intern cannot be used by them for publication.

Report Submission by the Intern

When it comes to submitting the prepared report, the intern must submit five copies of a neatly typed report in the format of a soft copy and bound form.

Financial Support from NCDC

Here is the breakdown of the financial support that interns will be getting from NCDC:

Wrapping Up

All in all, it can be said that the Sahakar Mitra Scheme is a great initiative towards boosting the link between government and academics. By providing adequate training opportunities, the scheme will surely strengthen youngsters and prepare them for the professional world.