In a significant move to bolster the cooperative movement and enhance the profitability of agriculture, the Madhya Pradesh government is enacting comprehensive reforms in Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS) and associated institutions. State Cooperative Minister Vishwas Sarang revealed that every panchayat in the state is now linked to a bank, with ongoing initiatives to educate farmers on diversification. To address irregularities in societies often stemming from employee negligence, a new justice scheme is being introduced to ensure swift resolution and protect innocent farmers.
Furthermore, a simplified One-Time Settlement (OTS) scheme for loan issues is on the horizon for statewide implementation, as highlighted by the minister while showcasing the accomplishments of his department over the past two years. Emphasizing transparency, Sarang noted the recent achievement of 100% computerization of Primary Cooperative Societies (PACS). By April, all state systems are expected to operate in real-time, a significant advancement for farmers, according to Sarang.
The state’s online audits of around 54,000 cooperative societies have positioned Madhya Pradesh as a national leader in this sector. PACS, traditionally involved in goods exchange, loans, fertilizers, and seeds, are now diversifying into new business ventures. Madhya Pradesh made history by integrating cooperatives into the Global Investors Summit 2025 in Bhopal earlier this year, introducing the innovative Cooperative Public-Private Partnership model on a global scale.
This model connects cooperatives with corporations, especially in sectors like renewable energy, benefiting thousands of farmers across nearly 54,000 societies while boosting the state’s economy and employment opportunities. Noteworthy focus areas include irrigation development, soil testing, soil health cards, and ensuring timely availability of fertilizers. Madhya Pradesh continues to excel as one of India’s top milk producers and maintains a strong position in the dairy sector. The distribution of fertilizers has seen remarkable growth, with cooperatives handling nearly 70% of the approximately 41 lakh metric tonnes distributed currently. MARKFED has spearheaded advanced storage systems to ensure efficient supply chains.
