Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, inaugurated 10,000 newly established Multipurpose Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (MPACS) and Dairy and Fisheries Cooperative Societies during a grand event in New Delhi. The initiative is part of the government’s ambitious vision to realise Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mantra of “Sahkar Se Samriddhi” (Prosperity through Cooperation).

The event marked a significant milestone in expanding the cooperative movement. Dignitaries, including Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, and other senior officials from the Ministry of Cooperation, attended.

Shah began the event by paying tribute to prominent leaders Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya and Atal Bihari Vajpayee on their birth anniversaries. He hailed Pandit Malviya’s contributions to India’s independence and cultural revival and Vajpayee’s transformative leadership in Parliament and as Prime Minister. Shah also commemorated C. Rajagopalachari on his death anniversary, acknowledging his vital role in India’s constitutional and cultural legacy.

In his address, Shah outlined the Modi government’s comprehensive strategy to strengthen the cooperative sector. He highlighted the rapid establishment of 10,000 PACS within just 86 days after the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for registration was introduced on September 19, 2024. The government has set an ambitious target of creating 2 lakh PACS within five years, a goal that is expected to be achieved ahead of schedule.

The Minister emphasized the transformative role of cooperatives in rural economies, noting that PACS is being equipped with modern capabilities through computerization and diversification. By integrating 32 activities, including storage, fertilizer distribution, and water management, PACS are becoming more versatile and relevant to local communities.

To enhance operational transparency and financial inclusion, Shah distributed RuPay Kisan Credit Cards and Micro-ATMs to 10 cooperative societies during the event. These tools are expected to provide farmers with low-cost bridge financing options and easy access to essential resources. The government also announced plans to equip every primary dairy with micro-ATMs as part of this initiative.

Shah highlighted the establishment of three new national-level cooperatives focused on organic products, seed production, and exports. These cooperatives aim to enhance the prosperity of farmers and foster socio-economic equality. Additionally, new model bylaws have been introduced to ensure the participation of women, Dalits, and marginalized communities in the cooperative movement.

The phased approach to creating new PACS involves key stakeholders like NABARD, NDDB, and NFDB. The first phase targets the formation of 22,750 PACS, followed by 47,250 in the second phase. Efforts will also focus on strengthening existing societies to enhance their impact.

Shah underscored the importance of cooperatives in connecting farmers’ produce to global markets through robust forward and backward linkages. He emphasized that this initiative not only bolsters the agricultural sector but also generates employment opportunities for women and youth in rural areas.

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The Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to empowering farmers and promoting rural prosperity through the cooperative movement. He described the modernization and expansion of PACS as a cornerstone of India’s rural development strategy, ensuring long-term socio-economic benefits for the nation. The event concluded with a call to action for stakeholders to embrace the cooperative model as a means of achieving inclusive growth and national progress.

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