More than 730 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACSs) from Himachal Pradesh have been enrolled in newly formed national-level multi-state cooperative societies, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah informed the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
The Minister said the Ministry of Cooperation has established National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL), Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Limited (BBSSL) and National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) with Union Cabinet approval. These bodies aim to strengthen cooperative participation in exports, quality seed distribution and organic farming.
According to the reply, 140 PACSs from Himachal Pradesh have joined NCEL, 451 PACSs BBSSL and 139 PACSs NCOL. Shimla district alone accounts for 15 PACSs in NCEL, 12 in BBSSL and four in NCOL.
At the national level, NCEL, BBSSL and NCOL have enrolled 15,790, 34,078 and 11,822 members, respectively.
The Minister said that while no special fast-track scheme exists for small and marginal farmers, benefits are being ensured through MoUs with state-nominated nodal agencies. Efforts are also underway to promote ‘Bharat Beej’ and ‘Bharat Organics’ products across states.