Union Ministry of Cooperation Ashish K. Bhutani underscored the critical role of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) in strengthening rural service delivery while addressing the 13th National Review Conference.
He said PACS are emerging as vital grassroots institutions capable of delivering a wide range of services to farmers and rural communities.
The Secretary highlighted that the Ministry of Cooperation is in the process of developing a robust digital infrastructure under the cooperative framework. This digital ecosystem is envisioned as a unified platform to facilitate seamless delivery of multiple services, including the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and benefits related to agriculture and allied sectors.
Emphasising technology-led governance, Bhutani noted that digital integration would enhance transparency, efficiency and accessibility of schemes at the grassroots level. He assured full support from the Department of Cooperation to strengthen the outreach, implementation and overall effectiveness of the PMFBY scheme through cooperatives.
The initiative, he said, would empower PACS, improve farmer coverage and reinforce the cooperative sector’s role in achieving inclusive and sustainable rural development.
