Patna: Bihar is preparing to expand the operational scope of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) and Vyapar Mandals, with the government targeting employment opportunities for more than 20 lakh people over the next five years.
The proposed expansion will cover 8,463 PACS and more than 500 Vyapar Mandals across the state. Under the plan, these cooperative institutions will move beyond their traditional focus on agriculture and take up activities in sectors including dairy, fisheries, food processing, warehousing, green energy and tourism.
Cabinet Approval to Be Sought
The Cooperation Department has prepared a proposal to promote new business activities through PACS and Vyapar Mandals and facilitate access to bank credit. The proposal is expected to be placed before the state Cabinet for approval soon.
The initiative forms part of the Bihar State Cooperative Policy, 2026, which was recently approved by the state Cabinet. The government aims to make cooperative societies more commercially viable, transparent and self-reliant while strengthening the rural economy.
Focus on ‘Cooperative Villages’
Under the proposed plan, villages could be developed as “Cooperative Villages”, with cooperative units established in every panchayat with the participation of PACS and Vyapar Mandals.
The objective is to create new sources of livelihood, increase rural incomes and strengthen local economic activity. Once the proposal receives Cabinet approval, an action plan will be prepared for its implementation.
The Cooperation Department is already working on the draft action plan. Suggestions from farmers associated with PACS will also be invited before the programme is implemented.
1.33 Crore PACS Members
The state currently has around 1.33 crore PACS members across 8,463 societies, including approximately 36 lakh women. The department has also recently added around 4.5 lakh new members.
A fresh membership drive is planned to encourage more people to join PACS and participate in the expanded range of cooperative activities.
Push for Rural Employment
The government believes that expanding the business activities of PACS and Vyapar Mandals can create employment beyond traditional farming and provide rural communities with opportunities in allied and emerging sectors.
The proposed model is expected to combine cooperative institutions, bank financing and local entrepreneurship to strengthen village-level economic activity and support the creation of more than 20 lakh employment opportunities in Bihar over the next five years.
