Jaipur, July 10 (IANS) Rajasthan tops the country under the world’s largest grain storage scheme, with 200 warehouses sanctioned during 2024-25 and 2025-26, of which 120 have already been completed and the remaining are under construction, an official said on Friday.

The state plans to build 50 additional warehouses in 2026-27, which will raise its grain storage capacity by 1.25 lakh metric tonnes over three years, significantly strengthening agricultural infrastructure and post-harvest storage facilities, officials confirmed.

“Rajasthan has emerged as a national leader in implementing cooperative sector reforms, translating the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Sahkar se Samriddhi’ (Prosperity through Cooperation) into tangible outcomes. From expanding grain storage infrastructure to digitising Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) and establishing Multi-Purpose PACS (M-PACS), the state has secured the top position in several key cooperative initiatives,” they added.

Over the past two and a half years, Rajasthan has made significant strides in strengthening the cooperative movement, placing the sector at the centre of rural development, agricultural growth and financial inclusion, an official said on Friday.

The state’s achievements were highlighted at a national function held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on July 6, 2026, in the presence of Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma. During the event, foundation stones were laid for 10 new warehouses, 50 warehouses were inaugurated, and 100 warehouses were transferred to the State Warehousing Corporation.

The state’s cooperative network now comprises more than 42,000 cooperative societies with a membership exceeding 1.35 crore. The recently concluded membership campaign added 8.90 lakh new members, further strengthening the cooperative ecosystem across villages and towns. Rajasthan has also emerged as the country’s leader in the computerisation of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies. Of the 6,781 PACS identified under the first phase, 5,646 have already been converted into e-PACS. These societies have collectively recorded over 10 crore online transactions, accounting for nearly one-third of all such transactions in the country and the highest among all states. Under the initiative to establish a cooperative society in every gram panchayat, Rajasthan has formed 5,279 new cooperative societies. The state has also established 1,977 Multi-Purpose Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (M-PACS), securing the top rank nationally.

Nearly 4,875 PACS are now engaged in three or more business activities, providing services such as Common Service Centres, Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samriddhi Kendras, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and Jan Aushadhi Kendras in rural areas. To connect farmers with national and international markets, 6,753 PACS have been enrolled as members of the Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Limited, the highest number recorded by any state. The cooperative model has also transformed Rajasthan’s dairy sector, promoting rural livelihoods and women’s economic participation. Membership of the Rajasthan Cooperative Dairy Federation (RCDF) and district milk unions has increased by 70 per cent, with more than 4.20 lakh women among approximately 9.40 lakh milk-producing members.

The state’s dairy cooperatives have also witnessed a financial turnaround, with several previously loss-making unions returning to profitability. The RCDF and district milk unions have recorded a turnover of ₹10,000 crore, the highest in their 47-year history. Complementing the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, the state government has transferred ₹2,726 crore under the Chief Minister Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana to the accounts of over 71 lakh farmers.

Additionally, around 60,000 livestock rearers have received loans under the Gopal Credit Card Scheme, strengthening the rural livestock economy. In line with the ‘Vocal for Local’ campaign, the state government has organised the National Cooperative Spice Fair and divisional cooperative fairs to promote cooperative products at the national level.

Supporting the Prime Minister’s Shree Anna initiative, 240 Shree Anna outlets have been established across Rajasthan to promote nutritious millet-based products and strengthen local markets. To provide an alternative to private app-based taxi services, the state government has launched the Bharat Taxi cooperative platform in Jaipur. More than 17,000 cab, auto-rickshaw and bike taxi drivers have joined the digital cooperative initiative, providing affordable mobility while strengthening drivers’ livelihoods.

The cooperative model is also being expanded to other sectors, including healthcare, with the objective of ensuring wider public participation and strengthening community-based service delivery across Rajasthan.

–IANS

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