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Discuss the role of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) in the socio-economic transformation of India’s rural areas.

  • 11 Jul 2024

Recently, Union Minister of Cooperation urged stakeholders in cooperative societies to support the establishment of primary agricultural credit societies (PACS) in all villages and blocks of the country.

  • PACS are the grass root level arms of the short-term co-operative credit structure.
  • They deal directly with the rural (agricultural) borrowers, give those loans and collect repayments of loans given and also undertake distribution and marketing functions.

Role of PACs in Socio-economic Development

Agricultural Credit

  • PACS provide agricultural credit to the farmers at subsidized rate to purchase agricultural equipment.

Agricultural Inputs Supply

  • It supplies agricultural inputs like fertilizers, seeds, insecticides, and implements to farmers.

Improving Farmers’ Income

  • PACS assist farmers in the marketing of their agricultural produce and provides support in finding better markets, thereby improving farmers’ income and reducing dependency on middlemen.

Enhancing Financial Literacy

  • PACS conduct various training programs and workshops to enhance the financial literacy and awareness of farmers, empowering them to make informed financial decisions.

Promoting Financial Inclusion

  • PACS encourage agriculturists to save, accept deposit from them, offer loans to deserving borrowers, and collect repayments, thus promoting financial inclusion.