Bhopal, May 21 (IANS) Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has launched an intensive campaign to expand the reach of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) across Madhya Pradesh by enrolling 10 lakh new members by June 30.

The membership drive, which began on April 14, aims to significantly boost the cooperative movement and strengthen financial inclusion for farmers in the state.

Chief Minister Yadav also set an annual target of issuing 1.25 lakh new Kisan Credit Cards to empower more farmers with easy access to credit, a press note said here.

While reviewing the progress of the Cooperation Department at the Mantralaya on Thursday, the Chief Minister directed officials to accelerate efforts to strengthen financially weak District Cooperative Central Banks.

Out of 18 such banks, six have already shown considerable improvement in the last two and a half years.

The state government is providing share capital support to strengthen banks in Rewa, Satna, Jabalpur, Shivpuri, Gwalior, and Datia in the first phase, while Bhind, Morena, Raisen, Sagar, Sidhi, and Narmadapuram will be taken up next, the press note said.

In a significant achievement, all 4,536 PACS in the state have been fully computerised under the Central scheme, positioning Madhya Pradesh at the top in the country.

The Chief Minister has directed the launch of a mobile application soon to enable seamless transactions through these societies.

The cooperation sector has recorded growth on several fronts.

Over the past two years, seed-producing cooperative societies have produced and marketed 14 lakh quintals of certified seeds. Additionally, 1,102 new milk cooperative societies have been established, taking the total to 5,562, it said.

This has enabled the opening of accounts for 76,000 new members in District Cooperative Banks, promoting financial inclusion in rural areas. The state has also forged strong partnerships with national-level cooperative bodies.

The Madhya Pradesh State Cooperative Seed Federation signed an MoU with Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Ltd, generating business worth Rs 17 crore and enrolling 844 PACS as members.

The State Cooperative Marketing Federation tied up with National Cooperative Organics Ltd, adding 1,335 PACS, while an agreement with National Cooperative Exports Ltd brought in 1,612 more PACS. Work is underway to identify specific products for these collaborations, the press note said.

–IANS

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