In a significant stride for India’s cooperative sector, Union Home & Cooperation Minister Amit Shah inaugurated 10,000 newly established Multipurpose Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (MPACS) alongside Dairy and Fisheries Cooperative Societies in New Delhi.
The landmark event, which coincided with the birth anniversaries of Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya and former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, underscored the government’s commitment to bolstering rural economies and empowering farmers.
A Tribute to Visionaries
The Minister paid homage to Atal Bihari Vajpayee, crediting his visionary leadership for transformative initiatives, including the establishment of a separate ministry for tribal affairs, the Golden Quadrilateral highways, and the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). He highlighted how Vajpayee’s tenure laid a robust foundation for India’s cooperative movement, epitomized by the 97th Constitutional Amendment.
Expanding the Cooperative Network
The launch of 10,000 MPACS marks a pivotal step towards achieving the Modi government’s ambitious target of establishing 2 lakh PACS within five years. The initiative aligns with the Prime Minister Modi’s vision of ‘Sahkar Se Samriddhi’ (Prosperity through Cooperation), which envisions cooperatives in every Panchayat as key contributors to rural development.
Shah revealed that the registration of these societies was completed within a record 86 days following the finalization of a standard operating procedure on September 19, 2024. He lauded the efforts of NABARD, NDDB, and NFDB in facilitating the swift establishment of these cooperatives.
Modernizing PACS for Multifaceted Growth
Shah further emphasized the transformative impact of computerization on PACS, enabling them to diversify into 32 activities, including gas distribution, fertilizer supply, and water management. This modernization has enhanced the viability and vibrancy of PACS, making them integral to rural economies.
The launch of a training module for PACS members and employees further aims to ensure efficient operations and better service delivery. Shri Shah urged district cooperative registrars to take ownership of the training process, ensuring the workforce is well-equipped to drive this change.
Empowering Farmers and Promoting Inclusion
During the event, Cooperation Minister distributed RuPay Kisan Credit Cards and Micro-ATMs to cooperative societies, a move designed to enhance financial inclusion and provide farmers with low-cost loans. He announced plans to equip every primary dairy with a Micro-ATM, facilitating easier financial transactions for rural communities.
The initiative also focuses on inclusivity, with new model bylaws ensuring the active participation of women, Dalits, backward communities, and tribals. This approach not only fosters social harmony but also strengthens the cooperative movement’s foundation.
A Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, the government has set a phased roadmap for establishing 2 lakh PACS, with NABARD, NDDB, NFDB, and state cooperative departments taking the lead.
The integration of PACS into global markets through forward and backward linkages is expected to unlock new opportunities for farmers, particularly in organic farming, seed quality, and exports.
Union Minister of Cooperation shared that the Modi government has set an ambitious target of establishing 2 lakh new PACS within the next five years and expressed confidence that this goal will be achieved ahead of schedule.
He detailed the phased approach for this initiative, with NABARD forming 22,750 PACS in the first phase and 47,250 in the second. Similarly, NDDB will establish 56,500 new societies while strengthening 46,500 existing ones, and NFDB will create 6,000 new fisheries cooperative societies while empowering 5,500 existing ones.
Additionally, state cooperative departments will contribute by forming 25,000 PACS. Shah further highlighted that, to date, 11,695 new primary cooperative societies have been registered under the new model bylaws, marking a significant milestone. He emphasized that once the target of 2 lakh PACS is achieved, it will greatly facilitate the seamless integration of farmers’ produce into global markets through robust forward and backward linkages.
Union Home and Cooperation Minister further reiterated the importance of transparency and grassroots connectivity in PACS operations, emphasizing their role in job creation and the availability of agricultural resources. He also highlighted the establishment of three national-level cooperatives—NCOL, BBSSL, and NCEL—to further strengthen the cooperative ecosystem.
