National Cooperative Union of India launches ‘NCUI Haat’ to empower cooperative movement

The exhibition-cum-sale centre set up at NCUI’s Delhi premises aims to provide a platform to local cooperatives/SHGs which have not been able to find ready markets due to marketing constraints

To empower artisans and fight the multinational dominance, National Cooperative Union of India (NCUI) has launched an exhibition-cum-sale centre called ‘NCUI Haat’ at its premises.

At a launch function of the ‘NCUI Haat’, president of NCUI Dileep Sanghani said, “Cooperative movement is needed today as this is a big employment generator.”

At a time when society is badly affected by the pandemic, the NCUI’s initiative could pave the way for empowerment of lesser known cooperatives. It is a well known fact that smaller enterprises and cooperatives are struggling to run their business and this initiative of NCUI could be very helpful.

Creating an enabling environment for “Sahkar se Samriddhi”, NCUI Haat is a unique sale-cum-exhibition platform for products of lesser known cooperatives and self help groups (SHG).

NCUI Haat is already exhibiting products of local cooperatives/SHGs which have not been able to find ready markets due to marketing constraints. These products are from cooperatives/SHGs of states like Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Orissa, etc.

Emphasising on the importance of the Haat, Dr. Sudhir Mahajan, IAS (Retd.) who is Chief Executive Officer of the NCUI, said that its launch is basically the launching of a concept. “The pandemic has affected every life and by launching this Haat, NCUI wants to empower those who are currently deprived of the opportunity to showcase their products,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Chandra Pal Singh Yadav, former president of NCUI and Chairman, KRIBHCO said that cooperatives are the best medium to strengthen the economy. He said that some of the cooperative products cannot compete with multi-nationals’ products due to their poor marketing, but they are popular among masses.

He said the need of the hour is to empower the cooperative movement to take on the dominance of multinational companies. Citing the example of Amul, he said a cooperative movement can indeed fight multinational companies. “If corporate houses can get help, then why Self Help groups can’t get help,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Bijender Singh, President, NAFED said that there are many good products of cooperatives, but due to their poor marketing, their publicity is not well done due to which these products are not recognized. He lauded NCUI for setting up of NCUI Haat, which will encourage many lessen known cooperatives/SHGs to showcase their skills through their wide-ranging products. He urged the media to publicise the initiative.

People in large numbers thronged the launch of NCUI Haat and bought products prepared by several cooperatives. “It is now for the people of Delhi to make this initiative a success so that this could be replicated in other parts of the country,” said Sudhir Mahajan.