Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, inaugurated 10,000 newly formed Multipurpose Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (MPACS) along with Dairy and Fisheries Cooperative Societies in New Delhi. The event was attended by other officials, including Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh and Ministers of State for Cooperation Krishan Pal and Murlidhar Mohol.
The initiative is part of a broader government plan to expand cooperative societies across the country. The government has set a target of creating 2 lakh MPACS over five years, aimed at improving rural infrastructure, enhancing access to resources, and supporting agricultural and allied sectors.
The inauguration marked a step towards increasing the role of cooperatives in rural development. These societies have been modernised with computerisation and integrated into a range of activities such as fertiliser distribution, storage, and gas services. The aim is to improve their operational efficiency and expand their scope to address local needs.
Officials stated that training programmes are being rolled out to ensure cooperative members are equipped with the skills required for effective management. District cooperative registrars have been tasked with overseeing the implementation of these training initiatives.
As part of the initiative, cooperative societies will receive RuPay Kisan Credit Cards and Micro-ATMs to enhance financial inclusion. These tools are intended to enable farmers to access affordable loans and other financial services.
The government’s approach includes linking PACS to additional activities and integrating them into Common Service Centres in villages, increasing their accessibility and relevance. New national-level cooperatives are also being established to focus on organic products, seed production, and exports.
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The establishment of 10,000 cooperative societies is part of a phased plan to expand the cooperative sector. Various organisations, including NABARD, NDDB, and NFDB, are contributing to this effort by forming new societies and strengthening existing ones. Officials have reported the registration of over 11,000 new primary cooperative societies, highlighting progress toward the overall goal.
The initiative is also expected to facilitate better linkages for farmers’ produce with global markets, creating additional opportunities for rural communities.
During the event, tributes were paid to Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on their birth anniversaries, as well as to C. Rajagopalachari on his death anniversary. Their contributions to India’s independence, governance, and development were acknowledged.
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