The Integrated Scheme on Agriculture Cooperation (ISAC) is a Central Sector Scheme launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India and implemented through the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC). The scheme aims to provide financial assistance to cooperatives to improve their economic conditions and accelerate cooperative development in the agricultural and allied sectors. It supports projects that enhance marketing, processing, storage, and supply of agricultural inputs, as well as initiatives in cotton development, cooperative spinning mills, and integrated cooperative development projects (ICDP) in selected districts. Additionally, the scheme helps cotton growers obtain better prices for their produce and ensures that decentralized weavers have access to quality yarn at reasonable rates.
Benefits
• Grant-in-Aid for Weaker Sections/Women/Labour Cooperatives:
– Varies by region:
– Cooperatively Least Developed States: 25%
– Cooperatively Under-Developed States: 20%
– Cooperatively Developed States: 15%
• Assistance Components:
– Marketing, Processing, Storage, Consumer and Weaker Section Programmes for cooperatives
– Computerization of Primary Agricultural Cooperative Credit Societies (PACS), District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs), and State Cooperative Banks (SCBs)
– Support for Technical & Promotional (T&P) Cell Schemes for strengthening management
– Assistance for cotton development (ginning, pressing, and cooperative spinning mills)
– Promotion of Integrated Cooperative Development Projects (ICDP) in selected districts
Eligibility
• Eligible Sectors:
– Projects related to agricultural marketing, processing, storage, computerization, and weaker sections’ programmes; as well as input supply, plantation/horticultural crops, dairy, poultry, livestock, fisheries, handloom, coir, jute, cash crops, sericulture, and cooperative modernization.
• Eligible Organizations:
– Cooperatives or societies registered under the respective state Cooperative Societies Act (including those under the Companies Act, Trust Act, or Societies Act)
– Organizations must have a minimum of three years’ operational experience, a positive balance net worth over the last three years, and a proven track record in the field.
– In government-sponsored projects, this condition may be relaxed on a case-by-case basis by the Managing Director of NCDC.
Application Process
Offline
• Step 01: Cooperative societies intending to avail assistance should contact the Office of Registrar of Cooperative Societies (RCS) or the Commissioner in charge of the specific programme, the Agriculture & Cooperation Department, or the Regional Offices of NCDC.
• Step 02: Obtain the common loan application forms available on the NCDC website under the “Application Form” section.
• Step 03: Submit the completed application along with the required documents to the appropriate office.
• Step 04: The application will be evaluated by the State Level Empowered Committee (SLEC), which will determine the quantum of assistance based on project feasibility and compliance with guidelines.
Documents Required
• Documents verifying the legal status of the applicant (e.g., Memorandum and Articles of Association, Company/ Society/ Trust Registration Certificate, list of directors/members with addresses)
• Proof of land possession (land allotment letter from GIDC, copies of 7/12 extract, N.A. permission, approved plan, construction permission)
• GPCB NOC/CCA or a justification letter if not applicable
• Environment Clearance or a justification letter if not applicable
• A Detailed Project Report (DPR) covering all aspects required by the application form
• Beneficiary List (if applicable, in the format specified in Annexure-A1)
• A process diagram of the proposed project signed by an authorized signatory
• Financial and Technical Appraisal from a bank, financial institution, or approved agency
• Copies of any other financial assistance documents already granted for the same project
• Sanction/Consent Letter from the financial institution (if a loan is involved)
• Affidavits regarding outstanding government dues and any pending court cases
• Declaration/Resolution as per the application requirements
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the ISAC scheme?
A: It is a Central Sector Scheme that provides financial assistance to cooperatives to improve their economic conditions and remove regional imbalances, supporting a wide range of agricultural and allied sector projects.
Q: What are the objectives of the ISAC scheme?
A: To provide financial assistance to cooperatives, promote value addition in cotton, support cooperative development in agriculture and allied sectors, and facilitate promotional and skill development activities for National Level Cooperative Federations and Multi-State Cooperative Societies.
Q: Who is eligible for the ISAC scheme?
A: Eligible entities include cooperatives, societies, and organizations registered under the relevant state Cooperative Societies Acts, with a minimum operational period of three years and a positive net worth. Government-sponsored projects may have relaxed conditions as determined by the NCDC.
Q: What types of projects are eligible for assistance?
A: Projects related to agricultural marketing, processing, storage, computerization of cooperative credit societies, and development of cooperative infrastructure, as well as projects for cotton development and integrated cooperative development in selected districts.
Q: What is the maximum financial assistance available?
A: Assistance is need-based with a maximum cap of up to ₹50,00,000/-, as decided by the State Level Empowered Committee.
Q: How can cooperatives apply for financial assistance under the ISAC scheme?
A: Cooperative societies must contact the Office of Registrar of Cooperative Societies (RCS) or the respective regional offices of NCDC and submit the Common Loan Application Form along with the required documents.
Q: What is the selection process?
A: Applications are evaluated by the State Level Empowered Committee (SLEC) based on project feasibility, compliance with guidelines, and the overall need, and the results are communicated as per the SLEC’s schedule.
Q: When are the results announced?
A: The timeline for results is determined by the SLEC and communicated through official channels.
Q: What benefits do cooperatives receive?
A: Cooperatives receive financial assistance for various components such as marketing, storage, processing, computerization, and technical/promotional support to enhance cooperative management.