Cooperative Institutions Must Intensify Efforts to Empower Farmers : CM Dr. Yadav

Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav has said that the primary objective of cooperative institutions is to empower farmers and improve their economic condition. The upcoming year 2026 will be celebrated as Agriculture and Farmers’ Year in the state. He directed the Cooperative Department to lay special emphasis on strengthening agricultural marketing cooperative societies so that farmers receive fair prices for their produce and get timely facilities as per the crop cycle. The Chief Minister instructed that computerisation of cooperative societies must be taken up on a priority to provide transparency and ease of services to farmers. He also directed that office bearers of societies must mandatorily submit their annual property details every year. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that PACS should be established at the Panchayat level.

During the review meeting of the Cooperative Department at Mantralaya, Cooperative Minister Shri Vishwas Sarang presented a dividend cheque of ₹4,27,04,190 of Apex Bank’s share capital to the Chief Minister. Managing Director of the Bank, Shri Manoj Gupta, was also present.

The meeting included presentations on achievements and innovations of the last two years under short-term agricultural loan distribution, fertilizer and seed distribution, procurement of agricultural produce at support price, functioning of fair price shops, and activities under “Sahkar se Samriddhi”. A three-year action plan was also discussed.

Department’s Achievements of the Last Two Years

• For strengthening 15 weak District Cooperative Banks, the government provided ₹50 lakh share capital to each bank.
• Madhya Pradesh ranks first in the country in MPAX computerisation and online audit.
• Farmers are receiving account-related information through SMS.
• Cadre system implemented for PACS Society Managers.
• Recruitment and training of managers and banking assistants in cooperative banks as per nationalised bank standards.
• Multi-purpose activities started through PACS.
• A total of 4,460 Common Service Centres, 4,518 Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samriddhi Kendras, 63 Jan Aushadhi Centres, 59 Water Tax Collection Centres, 2 Agri Drones, and 25 IFFCO outlets operational.
• 4,060 micro ATMs distributed to PACS and one to dairy societies.
• Amendments made in cooperative laws for public convenience.
• New business opportunities are emerging for cooperative societies through partnerships with cooperative, public, and private sectors.
• Contract signed with Majestic Private Limited for the procurement of Pusa Basmati paddy, ensuring economic benefit to farmers.
• Interventions undertaken to address the problem of stubble burning.
• “MP Cheetah” brand launched by Seed Federation to promote seed business.
• A total of 1,601 new MPAX, dairy cooperative, and fisheries cooperative societies were formed.
• 19 MoUs executed under the innovative CPPP initiative at the Madhya Pradesh Global Investors Summit.
• 350 cooperative societies formed for more than 10,000 displaced persons, providing employment opportunities such as security guards, gardeners, and labourers.

Three-Year Action Plan

• Defaulting PACS farmers to be brought back into the mainstream.
• QR code facility for customers after obtaining necessary approvals from RBI and NPCI.
• Internet banking (view facility) to be made available in all District Cooperative Banks.
• Skill ecosystem to be expanded for skill development of youth and women in the cooperative sector.

Key Points

• Empowering farmers and improving their economic status is the primary goal of cooperative institutions.
• The year 2026 will be celebrated as Agriculture and Farmers’ Year.
• Cooperative marketing societies to be strengthened to ensure fair prices for farmers and availability of timely services as per crop cycles.
• Computerisation of cooperative societies to be taken up on priority.
• PACS to be established at the Panchayat level.
• Cooperative Minister Shri Vishwas Sarang handed over a dividend cheque of ₹4,27,04,190 to the Chief Minister.