Cooperatives have a favorable impact on Nepal: Ministry study findings

Kathmandu: Over time, the number of cooperatives being created across the country has been increasing. Currently, there are about 30,000 cooperatives operational in Nepal. According to a study conducted by the Department of Cooperatives under the Ministry of Land Management and Cooperatives in collaboration with the state and local levels from July 2018 to October 2018, there are currently 29,887 cooperatives nationwide.

Out of 29,886 cooperatives, 125 are under the federal government, 6,002 under the state government and 23,759 at the local level.

Similarly, 7.3 million 7 thousand 462 members have enrolled in these cooperatives. According to the data, 56 per cent of the members are women, and 44 per cent are men. There are 12 per cent more female members than male members.

About 30,000 cooperatives have a total share capital of Rs 94.10 billion, and total collections amount to Rs 477.96 billion. Similarly, the Department of Cooperatives has stated that the overall loan disbursement is Rs 426.26 billion.

The Department of Cooperatives has stated that the cooperatives’ detailed data has been acquired after the division of the three levels of government for the first time.

Most cooperatives in Bagmati

Similarly, out of 7 states, Bagmati has the highest number of cooperatives. At present, there are 10,418 cooperatives in Bagmati and the lowest in Karnali.

At present, there are 1,967 cooperatives active in Karnali. Similarly, there are 4,737 cooperatives in Province-1, 4,153 in Province-2, 2,661 in Gandaki, 3,755 in Lumbini and 2,050 in Far-Western, said Surendra Raj Poudel, Deputy Registrar of the Department.

Most employment generation in Bagmati

88,309 people have got direct employment in more than 29,000 cooperatives. On this front, 20 thousand 585 people have direct employment through cooperatives in Province 1, while 10 thousand 843 people have jobs in Province 2.

Similarly, 33,892 people are employed in the highest number of cooperatives in Bagmati. 7 thousand 638 people of Gandaki have got employment through cooperatives. Similarly, 6,989 people in Lumbini, 4,534 in Karnali and 2,815 in Far-Western have found employment through cooperatives.

There are more women than male members of the cooperative 

Of the seven states, State-1, Bagmati, Gandaki, Karnali and Far-Western have more women than men in cooperatives.

According to the Department of Cooperatives, there are 5 lakh 249 women and 4 lakh 35 thousand 452 male members out of 9 lakh 35 thousand 700 members in State-1.

Similarly, there are 252,112 female members and 303,085 male members out of 555,197 total members in State-2. In this state, more male members than women are involved in cooperatives.

Out of 27 lakh 17 thousand 469 members in Bagmati Pradesh, 14 lakh 57 thousand 202 are women and 12 lakh 50 thousand 267 are male members cooperatives.

In Gandaki, out of 1.116 million 632 members, 542,130 are women and 474,502 are men.

Similarly, Lumbini has a total of 8 lakh 98 thousand 611 members. Out of which 5 lakh 76 thousand 312 women and 32 lakh 22 thousand 2 hundred 99 men are members in the cooperatives.

Similarly, out of 44,956 members in Karnali, 272,033 are female members and 132,923 are male.

Similarly, in the Far Western Province, which has a total of 542,989 members, 319,100 women and 223,889 men have joined the cooperative.

According to the department, there has been an increase in the total members, total number of members, total share capital, total savings collection, total loan investment and job creation in cooperatives across Nepal.