DigiHaat Sahkar Se Samriddhi Store Promotes Digital Access

DigiHaat’s ‘Sahkar Se Samriddhi’ Store: Cooperatives Enter Digital Commerce

GS Paper II: Governance, cooperatives, inclusive development
GS Paper III: Digital economy, rural entrepreneurship, agriculture marketing

India’s cooperative movement has played an important role in rural development, agriculture, dairy, credit, fisheries, handlooms and livelihood generation. Cooperatives are based on collective ownership and democratic participation, helping small producers overcome individual limitations. However, many cooperatives, Farmer Producer Organisations, Self-Help Groups and artisan groups still face problems of poor market access, weak branding, limited packaging support and dependence on local markets.

In this context, DigiHaat’s launch of the ‘Sahkar Se Samriddhi’ Store on the ONDC platform is significant. The initiative aims to provide digital market access to products made by cooperatives, FPOs, SHGs, artisans and local producer groups. The store is expected to showcase items such as groceries, organic foods, handicrafts, handlooms, personal care products and household essentials. Bharat Organics has also been associated as a key partner in the campaign.

ONDC, or Open Network for Digital Commerce, is not a single shopping app. It is an open digital network that allows different buyer apps, seller apps, logistics providers and service partners to interact through common digital protocols. This reduces dependence on closed e-commerce platforms and gives smaller sellers better visibility. For cooperatives, ONDC can become a bridge between rural producers and national consumers.

The phrase ‘Sahkar Se Samriddhi’ means prosperity through cooperation. It reflects the government’s broader vision of making cooperatives modern, transparent, technology-enabled and economically viable. India has a very large cooperative base, with lakhs of cooperative societies and crores of members. Therefore, even small improvements in market access can have a large impact on rural incomes and grassroots entrepreneurship.

The initiative is important for several reasons. First, it can help cooperatives and SHGs move beyond local fairs and exhibitions to reach wider digital markets. Second, it can improve income opportunities for farmers, artisans and women-led SHGs by reducing dependence on intermediaries. Third, it promotes Vocal for Local and Atmanirbhar Bharat by giving visibility to Indian-made rural and cooperative products. Fourth, it shows how Digital Public Infrastructure can support not only payments and identity, but also inclusive commerce.
However, the success of the initiative will depend on practical implementation. Many cooperatives may need training in digital catalogue creation, online order management, digital payments and customer service. Quality standardisation, proper packaging, labelling, logistics, returns and grievance redressal will also be crucial. Without consumer trust, cooperative products may struggle to compete with established private brands.
The way forward is to provide capacity building, district-level aggregation centres, branding support, quality certification, organic certification and logistics partnerships. Cooperatives should also be supported in storytelling, product promotion and customer feedback systems.

Overall, DigiHaat’s ‘Sahkar Se Samriddhi’ Store represents the integration of India’s cooperative movement with digital public infrastructure. If implemented effectively, it can transform cooperatives from local livelihood institutions into competitive digital market participants, promoting inclusive growth and rural prosperity.