Haridwar: In a significant step towards strengthening India–Nepal cooperation in the cooperative sector, a 42-member delegation from Nepal’s Suryodaya Krishi Cooperative Ltd., Palpa district, undertook a two-day exposure visit to Haridwar, Uttarakhand.
The visit was facilitated by Sumit Singh, Member of the Trade and Business Committee of the International Cooperative Alliance (Asia-Pacific), following a request from Nepal’s National Association of Cooperatives. A comprehensive tour plan was curated to provide insights into skilling, agriculture, and cooperative development.
The delegation began its visit on April 9 at Kamdhenu Lok in Haridwar, where members participated in a spiritual session and discussions on cultural and agricultural sustainability. The programme, coordinated by Devasis Dwivedi, included a satsang led by Swami Sarvanand and Yukteshwaranand Ji, focusing on cultural restoration and the importance of indigenous cattle for national well-being. A session on natural living inspired by the teachings of Rajeev Dixit was also conducted.
The delegation later visited premier skill development institutions, including National Institute of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development and National Skill Training Institute. Experts showcased advanced training facilities in solar energy, computer networking, robotic automation, and modern industrial machinery, along with innovations in aromatic plants and agrotourism.
The first day concluded with a visit to the Centre for Aromatic Plants near Dehradun, where officials briefed the delegation on high-value herb cultivation and crop diversification strategies aimed at enhancing farmers’ income. An interactive session on agrotourism highlighted the potential of converting unused spaces into revenue-generating tourism hubs.
On the second day, the delegation visited a fishery site in Roorkee for an interactive session with local cooperatives and government officials. Addressing the gathering, Sumit Singh shared successful models in dairy, farming, and women’s livelihoods, including incubation centres and cooperative enterprises that could be replicated in Nepal.
Bhupati Pandey outlined the objectives of the visit and challenges faced by farmers and artisans in Palpa. Welcoming the delegates, Nepal Singh highlighted his journey from a small farmer to a successful cooperative leader with support from government schemes.
The event was attended by Ajit Chaudhary as Chief Guest, who spoke about state initiatives for farmer empowerment. As Special Guest, G P Singh shared low-cost strategies to boost cooperative incomes. Officials from the fisheries and agriculture departments elaborated on government schemes, fishery practices, and support mechanisms.
The Nepalese delegation expressed appreciation for the insights gained and sought continued collaboration for developing sustainable livelihood models in Palpa. They also invited Indian experts to Nepal to help chart a roadmap for future cooperative development initiatives.
