Dalits in Rural Cooperatives of Nepal

The cooperative societies’ function in eliminating prejudices and discrimination against Dalits in Nepal is analysed by interpolating various collective movement experiences with specific references to Nepalese milk cooperatives as well as some Indian examples. This is to assess cooperatives’ contributions to decreasing prejudices against Dalits who do not stand out when it comes to their inclusion owing to caste and caste-based discrimination.

Cooperative societies are critical in rural economies for community development, but the private sector largely ignores them due to their low profitability, while the government’s prejudice is due to spatial and political biases. Cooperatives, particularly in developing nations, are emerging as the third pillar of development alongside the government and private sectors.