Patna: Union Home and Cooperative Minister Amit Shah is set to inaugurate a series of cooperative sector schemes in Bihar, aiming to boost rural economies and enhance agricultural productivity. Shah will launch these schemes at a two-day event at Bapu Sabhagar in Patna on March 29-30.
The initiatives include the integration of maize, pulses, and oilseed crops with Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), a move designed to provide direct benefits to farmers. Additionally, 100 new Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) will be established to organize farmers and increase their earnings.
The Bihar government is also expanding PACS centers across all districts to improve facilities for rural farmers. As part of this expansion, Jan Aushadhi Kendras will be set up in PACS centers, ensuring affordable and quality medicines reach rural areas. A special scheme will also be introduced to increase women’s participation in milk-producing committees, with a target of 50% female representation.
To extend banking services to remote areas, cooperative societies are being developed as Bank Mitra, with 1,500 committees set to receive micro ATMs over the next six months. NABARD has already approved grants for 785 such machines, of which 100 have been distributed.
Among the major announcements, Shah will inaugurate a Makhana Processing Center in Darbhanga, improving market opportunities for Makhana producers. Additionally, 11 new agricultural warehouses will be opened, and 500 PACS will be declared as e-PACS. Foundation stones will also be laid for godowns under the world’s largest food storage scheme.
A mobile app is being developed to help Bihar’s vegetable farmers access international markets, offering new avenues for increasing their income. These initiatives, aimed at strengthening Bihar’s cooperative infrastructure, are expected to significantly transform the state’s rural economy.
