In a major move, the govt has decided to allow selected PACS to be retailers of different kinds of fertilizers. The decision was taken in a meeting of Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah with Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers Mansukh S. Mandaviya held in New Delhi. Senior officials of the Ministry of Cooperation and Department of Fertilizers were also present.
“It has been decided that on the basis of mapping, Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) which are not functioning as fertilizer retailers will be identified and they will be encouraged to function as retailers on the basis of feasibility in a phased manner”, reads a govt release.
Welcoming the move, the MD of the largest producer of fertilizers IFFCO Dr U S Awasthi tweeted, “IFFCO welcomes govt. decision of revolutionising PACS by making their way for PMKSKs, Fertiliser Retailers, Drone Entrepreneurs, Marketeers of Bio-Organic & Organic products. Realising Prime Minister @narendramodi’s vision of “Sahkar Se Samridhi”. @AmitShah @mansukhmandviya”.
The other decisions taken was PACS which are not currently functioning as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samridhi Kendras (PMKSK) will be brought under the ambit of PMKSK. Besides, PACS will be connected with the marketing of organic fertilizers, especially Fermented Organic Manure (FoM) / Liquid Fermented Organic Manure (LFOM) / Phosphate Enriched Organic Manure (PROM).
PACS can also be employed as Drone entrepreneurs for spraying fertilizers and pesticides. Drones can also be used for survey of property.
The benefits of these decisions will increase the income of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies, as well as increase the employment opportunities in rural areas and farmers will be able to get fertilizers, pesticides, seeds and agricultural machinery at the local level, claims govt officials.