Nagaland Minister Advocates for Revitalization of Cooperative Movement
Call for Transformation in Nagaland's Cooperative Sector
Kohima, July 5: Jacob Zhimomi, the Nagaland Minister for Cooperation, emphasized the necessity for a significant overhaul of the cooperative movement within the state during a recent event marking International Cooperation Day. He urged the community to move away from dependency, focus on productivity, and make substantial contributions.
Zhimomi articulated that the cooperative sector should evolve into a crucial economic foundation. He pointed out the importance of adopting digital solutions, ensuring accountability, and providing performance-based support, cautioning that cooperatives that do not perform will face deregistration.
"Our focus should be on quality rather than quantity," Zhimomi remarked, highlighting that many cooperatives falter due to a lack of vision, inadequate business skills, and unrealistic expectations from governmental support.
He noted that the unique geography, socio-economic conditions, and lifestyle of Nagaland necessitate customized cooperative models and called on the central government for more adaptable funding mechanisms, particularly through organizations like the NCDC.
Zhimomi also addressed the prevalent quick-profit mindset among the youth in Nagaland. He stated, "Young people aspire to become millionaires overnight and often blame the government for their failures. Without dedication, hard work, and humility, no enterprise or initiative can thrive."
He encouraged citizens to utilize land as a form of capital and to leverage the central government's startup initiatives in sectors such as agriculture, dairy, and food supply chains.
"Nagaland must not lag in the pursuit of becoming a developed India," he asserted. "Development cannot be imported; it must originate from our homes, villages, and daily practices. We should not expect everything from the government; let us first invest our own resources," he added.
The Deputy Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Akangjongshi, reported that there are currently 8,028 registered cooperative societies in Nagaland, with 5,862 of them being inactive. He mentioned that the government plans to deregister approximately 3,000 non-functional cooperatives by October.