History of Co-operative Movement: According to historians, the cooperative movement started in Britain, America and other countries during the 19th century. Robert Owen (1771-1858) is considered the father of the cooperative movement. In 1844 the Rochdale Pioneers founded the modern co-operative movement in Lancashire, England, to provide an affordable alternative to poor quality and adulterated food and provisions using any surplus to benefit the community. India’s first co-operative society was registered in 1905. The first cooperative movement in Asia started at Kanagaginhal in Gadag, Karnataka under the leadership of Shri Siddanagouda Sanna Ramanagowda Patil (1843-1933), popularly known as ‘Father of Co-operative Movement in Karnataka’ Agricultural Credit Cooperative Society was launched at Kanaginhal on 8.7.1905. This was the first case of its kind in Asia