In alignment with the Government of India’s focus on strengthening the rural cooperative ecosystem and enhancing employment opportunities in the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sector, Vaikunth Mehta National Institute of Cooperative Management (VAMNICOM)—under the aegis of the Ministry of Cooperation, Govt. of India, formally entered into a strategic collaboration with Syngenta Foundation India for the nationwide rollout of the ‘Bharat-Banker’ Program. The MoU was officially signed on April 4, 2025, at VAMNICOM, Pune, in the presence of senior leadership from both organizations.
This partnership comes at a significant juncture, coinciding with the International Year of Cooperatives 2025, and represents a united effort to address skill gaps in rural banking through a scalable and structured approach.
The Bharat-Banker Program is a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at equipping 25,000 rural youth across India with job-ready skills and core competencies in the BFSI and cooperative sectors. The program is aligned with key national objectives such as:
- Computerization and transformation of PACS into Common Service Centers (CSCs)
- Capacity building of cooperative functionaries
- Financial inclusion and employment generation in rural India
Key Components of the Program
- Skill-Oriented Curriculum: A targeted, modular training program co-developed by VAMNICOM and Syngenta Foundation, covering cooperative banking, digital finance, microinsurance, and PACS operations.
- Train-the-Trainer (ToT) Model: Academic and master trainers certified by VAMNICOM will ensure consistent delivery and scale across the country.
- Certification: Participants will be certified by VAMNICOM, boosting their employability in rural BFSI and cooperative networks.
- Internships and Field Exposure: Each participant will undergo a one-month practical internship with cooperative banks and PACS to bridge theoretical knowledge with field experience.
- Pan-India Rollout: VAMNICOM will serve as the nodal agency, with Syngenta Foundation India overseeing state-wise implementation, logistics, and monitoring.
Mr. Rajendra Jog, Executive Director, Syngenta Foundation India, during the MoU signing, emphasized:
“This partnership will empower thousands of young individuals from rural India by equipping them with industry-relevant skills, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to the cooperative and financial sectors.”
Dr. Hema Yadav, Director of VAMNICOM, shared:
“The Bharat-Banker program embodies the spirit of cooperative empowerment. By integrating capacity building with real-world experience, we are building a strong, skilled workforce for the cooperative movement and the rural banking ecosystem.”
The ‘Bharat-Banker’ program is poised to become a flagship initiative in cooperative-led skilling and rural financial empowerment. As the country celebrates the International Year of Cooperatives, this collaboration stands as a model of impactful public-private partnership, driving inclusive growth and long-term resilience in India’s rural economy.
