 Maharashtra was a pioneer in the development of Agricultural Cooperative Societies after independence.In fact, it was an integral part of the then Governing Congress party's vision of ‘rural development with local initiative’.A ‘special’ status was accorded to the sugar cooperatives and the government assumed the role of a mentor by acting as a stakeholder, guarantor and regulator, Apart from sugar, Cooperatives play a crucial role in dairy, cotton, and fertiliser industries.