The Odisha Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, on Saturday approved the State Cooperative Policy 2026, marking a major step towards strengthening and expanding the cooperative movement across the state.
The policy seeks to reinforce Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), Large Area Multi-Purpose Cooperative Societies (LAMPCS), Cooperative Banks, Cooperative Marketing and Processing Societies, as well as cooperatives in the dairy, tribal, handloom, fisheries and housing sectors. The emphasis is on improving service delivery, enhancing institutional efficiency and ensuring effective last-mile outreach, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas.
Guided by the vision of “Prosperity through Cooperation” and aligned with the national motto “Sahkar se Samriddhi”, the State Cooperative Policy 2026 is expected to play a key role in promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth. The policy aims to transform rural society and the economy by building a strong, integrated cooperative ecosystem.
A major thrust of the policy is the strengthening of PACS as multi-service centres. Beyond agricultural credit, PACS will be encouraged to undertake activities related to marketing, processing and agri-business, enabling better market access, value addition and income opportunities for farmers.
The policy also outlines an ambitious expansion of the cooperative network. It envisages the establishment of one Cooperative Bank in every district, one PACS or LAMPCS in every Gram Panchayat, one Cooperative Society in every village, and one Model Cooperative Village in each district, aimed at deepening cooperative penetration across Odisha.
