From Fields to Fashion: Vividoddesha PACS exports garments to US and UK

In the heart of Karnataka’s Belagavi district, a Primary Agriculture Cooperative Society (PACS) is not only transforming the lives of farmers but also emerging as a beacon of women empowerment.

Located in Borgaon village of Nippani Taluka, Vividoddesha Prathamik Grameen Krushi Sahakar Sangh has set a remarkable example in cooperative innovation and rural upliftment.

While most PACS focus solely on agriculture and credit, this society stands out by operating a thriving garment business for the past 16 years. What’s even more impressive is that the unit employs over 150 local women, whose handiwork is now finding buyers in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and several others.

The business generates revenue in crores, and demand is so high that the society occasionally struggles to fulfill overseas orders on time.

An Indian Cooperative correspondent recently visited the society’s head office in Borgaon and was struck by its fully computerized operations and professional setup that resembles a full-fledged bank. With a total business mix of over Rs 100 crore, the PACS is among the most financially sound in the district.

The society is led by Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Uttam Patil and managed by CEO Ravasaheb Tatyasaheb Chougule. In a candid conversation, Chougule said, “We are the first financially robust PACS in Belagavi district. Out of 140 PACS in Nippani Taluka, 32 of which are newly registered, none can match our scale and performance, not even in neighbouring Chikkodi Taluka.”

 “As of 31st March 2025, our deposits stood at Rs 56.07 crore, advances at Rs 47 crore, and we crossed the Rs 100 crore business milestone. We earned a net profit of Rs 1.55 crore in FY 2024–25, with zero net NPA,” he added.

The society boasts a membership of over 3,000 farmers and provides an extensive range of services. Apart from banking services like NEFT and RTGS, it offers drip irrigation equipment, a Common Service Centre (CSC), ambulance service, stationery and book stalls, an RO water purification unit, and more. A dedicated locker facility further enhances its banking-like infrastructure.

“Women are at the core of our garment unit,” Chougule explained. “We take pride in the fact that this initiative not only supports families financially but also empowers women with a sense of independence and purpose. The demand for our exports is a testament to the quality of their craftsmanship. In addition, our PACS also offers locker facilities to its members, something rarely seen in other such societies.”

With a seamless blend of financial services and social impact, Vividoddesha PACS of Borgoan is redefining the role of cooperatives in rural India, one empowered woman and one satisfied farmer at a time.