Lok Sabha Question No. 235 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-22
Subject: MPACS
Ministry: COOPERATION
Asked by: Shri Dushyant Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COOPERATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 235 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22 nd  JULY 2025

## MPACS

## 235. Shri Dushyant Singh:

Will the Minister of Cooperation (सहकाįरता मंũी) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has implemented any scheme or taken measures to ensure the long-term  financial  viability  of  the  Multipurpose  Primary  Agriculture  Credit  Societies (MPACS), especially in economically challenged regions;
- (b) if so, the manner in which these societies will address the challenges faced by small and marginal farmers in obtaining affordable credit and quality inputs;
- (c) whether  there  are  any  ongoing  or  planned  collaborations  with  agriculture  research institutions to develop high-yield, disease-resistant seed varieties through the Bhartiya Beej Sahkari Samiti Limited (BBSSL), if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether the Government has any plan to address the competition from private seed companies  while  promoting  BBSSL's  products  and  ensuring  the  success  of  MPACS agricultural ecosystem, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF COOPERATION सहकाįरता मंũी (SHRI AMIT SHAH)

(a) and (b): The Ministry of Cooperation has undertaken various important initiatives to ensure the  long-term  financial  viability  of  Multipurpose  Primary  Agricultural  Credit  Societies (MPACS) across the country, including economically challenged regions, while simultaneously addressing the challenges faced by small and marginal farmers in obtaining affordable credit and quality inputs. These measures include the following:

- i. Plan to 'strengthen cooperative movement in the country and deepen its reach up to the grassroots' through establishment of 2 lakh new multipurpose PACS, Dairy and Fishery cooperative  societies  through  convergence  of  various  existing  Government  of  India schemes,  including  National  Programme  for  Dairy  Development  (NPDD),  Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), etc. with the support of National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), National Fishery Development Board (NFDB) and State/ UT Governments;
- ii. Computerization of PACS under the Centrally Sponsored Project with a financial outlay of  ₹  2,925.39  crore  for  enhancing  their  operational  efficiency,  reducing  transaction costs, and ensuring faster loan disbursement;
- iii. World's  Largest  Grain  Storage  Plan  in  Cooperative  Sector,  to  create  decentralized storage capacity and other agricultural infrastructure at PACS level, including custom

hiring center, processing units, etc., thus enabling farmers to avoid distress sales and secure better prices for their produce;

- iv. PACS as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Ssamriddhi Kendras (PMKSK), to provide farmers easy access to fertilizers and other agricultural services at a single shop;
- v. PACS as Common Service Centres (CSCs), to offer over 300 e-services to rural citizens at the Panchayat level itself;
- vi. PACS to operate petrol/ diesel  outlets  and  LPG distributorships, opening additional revenue streams for them and their farmer members;
- vii. Strengthening  financial  inclusion  through  provision  of  RuPay  Kisan  Credit  Cards, Micro-ATMs  to  Bank  Mitra  Cooperative  Societies  and  their  members for  doorstep banking;
- viii. Formation of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) by PACS in cooperative sector, to facilitate market linkages and ensure that farmers obtain better prices for their produce;
- ix. Guaranteed procurement from pre-registered farmers of PACS, of tur, masoor, urad and maize at Minimum Support Price (MSP) through platforms like e-samyukti (NCCF) and e-samridhi (NAFED), to promote self-sufficiency in pulses production and provide income stability to farmers.

Collectively,  these  efforts  aim  to  transform  PACS  into  vibrant,  multipurpose  institutions, ensuring  financial  resilience  and  enhancing  the  livelihoods  of  small  and  marginal  farmers associated with them.

(c): Yes, the Bhartiya Beej Sahkari Samiti Limited (BBSSL), a Society registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Society Act, 2002, has signed MoAs/ MoUs with following leading research organizations for receiving genetically high potential good quality breeder seeds of various crops and varieties for further multiplication of Foundation and Breeder Seed:

-  ICAR-Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi
-  Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana (PAU), Punjab
-  ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research (IIMR), Ludhiana, Punjab
-  ICAR-Indian Institute of Millet Research (IIMR), Hyderabad, Telangana.
-  G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand
-  Zonal Technology Management & Business Planning and Development Unit IARI, PUSA, New Delhi.
-  International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Hyderabad
-  World Vegetable Centre, AVRDC, Thailand
-  Ingenious Research and Development Foundation, Uttarakhand
-  Beej Anusandhan Kendra, Kalol (MoU between ICRISAT, IFFCO and BBSSL)

(d): To address competition from private seed companies and to ensure the success of MPACS agricultural ecosystem, BBSSL is taking following steps:

-  Promotion  of  indigenous  and  certified  seed  varieties  at  affordable  rates  through cooperative channels.
-  Engaging  and  building  capacities  of  Cooperatives  /  MPACS  in  seed  production, distribution, and storage.
-  Field-level demonstrations and outreach sessions to promote trust in BBSSL seeds.
-  Institutional  collaborations  to  increase  research,  access  to  quality  germplasm,  and localized seed production.

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