In a strong display of cooperative solidarity, Sahakar Bharati Uttar Pradesh organised a grand “Regional B-PACS Convention” (Pradeshiya B-PACS Sammelan) in Lucknow as part of the nationwide observance of the United Nations International Year of Cooperatives 2025 (IYC-2025).
The convention brought together chairpersons, vice-chairpersons and office-bearers of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (B-PACS) from several districts, signalling a renewed movement for strengthening grassroots financial institutions in rural India.
The event was graced by Uttar Pradesh Cooperation Minister J.P.S. Rathore, who served as the chief guest and called for “transforming PACS from mere credit outlets into multi-purpose rural service centres. He stressed that the cooperative model, rooted in trust and collective ownership, was best suited to drive Atmanirbhar Bharat in villages.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Uday Joshi, National President of Sahakar Bharati, spoke about aligning local cooperative initiatives with global recognition under IYC-2025. He cited how India, with over 8.5 lakh cooperatives and 30 crore members, is uniquely positioned to become a world leader in grassroots economic democracy.
National Vice President Sunil Gupta emphasised the need for capacity building, while UPCB Chairman Jitendra Bahadur Singh and PCF Chairman Valmiki Tripathi highlighted ongoing initiatives such as computerisation of over 8,000 PACS in Uttar Pradesh, development of storage and agri-processing units through cooperatives, and access to low-cost credit for small farmers.
State President Arun Singh and Convenor Brijesh Singh of Sahakar Bharati called for deeper coordination between PACS, cooperative banks and federations to ensure ease of business and market linkages for members.
Speakers resolved to expand the role of B-PACS into sectors like dairy, horticulture, solar energy, farm input distribution and village-level retail networks. Delegates demanded training programmes, working capital support, and policy space to innovate at the local level.
The convention also echoed the national cooperative vision set by the Ministry of Cooperation under Union Minister Amit Shah, which aims to create “Model PACS” in every block and convert them into “one-stop livelihood hubs.”
With the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) preparing for the global closing ceremony of IYC-2025 in Doha this November, the Lucknow meet positions Uttar Pradesh among the most proactive states participating in the global cooperative resurgence.
The gathering concluded with a collective pledge to convert the cooperative movement into a people’s movement rooted in trust, transparency and teamwork.
