(i)About the Department  
          The Co-operation Department was created with the objective of strengthening the co-operative movement in the State. Initially, the Co-operation Department remained part of one of the development Department. It functioned under the Co-operation and Forest Department and later under the Agriculture and Co-operation Department in 1991, the Co-operation Department was carved out as a separate Department from the erstwhile Agriculture & Co-operation Department. 
   b.    Activities of the Department
          Some of the important functions discharged by the Co-operation Department are briefly indicated below:
¿       Endeavoring to provide timely and adequate bank credit to farmers for financing their agriculture and allied activities.
¿       Supply on inputs such as fertilizers, pesticides and seeds to the farmers.
¿       Administering the Crop Insurance Scheme to provide relief to farmers in the event of crop failure.
¿       Providing marketing support to farmers by way of bringing about the integrated development of marketing of agricultural produce to safeguard the economic interests of the farming community.
¿         Providing infrastructure for storage of agricultural produce through organizations like the Orissa State Warehousing Corporation (OSWC) and the Orissa State Marketing Federation (MARKFED).
¿         Providing credit facilities for housing through house building Co-operatives in both the rural and urban areas.
 ¿         Imparting co-operative education and training to office bearers and members of Co-operative Societies for strengthening the co-operative movement in the State.