The cooperative movement is crucial for rural economies. Currently, about 29 crore people are directly connected to cooperatives in India. These societies, especially in agriculture, dairy, and fisheries, offer livelihoods and financial security through community-based approaches.
Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), numbering 1,01,718 with 13 crore members, form the base of Short-Term Cooperative Credit (STCC). They provide credit and input services to farmers and are supported by NABARD through District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs) and State Cooperative Banks (StCBs).
Primary dairy cooperatives, around 1,40,946 with 1.5 crore members, gather milk, offer services, and sell cattle feed. Primary fishery cooperatives, 25,572 with 38 lakhs members, aid marginalized sections with marketing, equipment, and limited credit.
However, many Panchayats lack PACS or dairy cooperatives. To bolster the rural economy, the Ministry of Cooperation, under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's leadership and the able guidance of Hon’ble Home & Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah, plans to establish viable cooperatives in every Panchayat. Initial focus is on 2,00,000 PACS, dairy, and fishery cooperatives within five years.
Converging schemes from various ministries, this approach will build necessary infrastructure, enhance income, provide markets, and empower rural areas. Committees at different levels will ensure effective implementation. The following schemes have been identified for convergence under the current plan:
(a) Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying:
- National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD), and
- Dairy Processing & Infrastructure Development Fund (DIDF)
(b) Department of Fisheries:
- Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), and
- Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development (FIDF)
A high-level Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC), led by the Hon’ble Home & Cooperation Minister, alongside the Hon’ble Ministers for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Fishery, Animal Husbandry and Dairying; relevant Secretaries; NABARD's Chairman; NDDB's MD; NCDC's MD; and NFDB's Chief Executive, has been formed. Its purpose is to facilitate necessary measures, including adjusting scheme guidelines, for the smooth execution of the plan. Committees at National, State, and District levels have been established to ensure focused implementation. The Ministry has already mapped PACS, dairy, and fishery cooperative through the National Cooperative Database
By linking cooperatives with Federations, farmers will access better markets, credit, and services. Revitalizing and establishing cooperatives will create rural jobs and strengthen the supply chain.
For more details on Strengthening cooperative movement in the country and deepening its reach up to the grassroots Plan Guidelines, please click on the below link:
For more details on Letter dated 17-03-2023 regarding Constitution of Inter-ministerial Committee (IMC), please click on below link:
For more details on Letter dated 17-03-2023 regarding Constitution of National Level Coordination Committee (NLCC), please click on below link:
For more details on Letter dated 17-03-2023 regarding Constitution of State Cooperative Development Committee (SCDC) & District Cooperative Development Committee (DCDC), please click on below link:
https://www.cooperation.gov.in/sites/default/files/2023-06/CONSTI_3.PDF
