Patna : The Union Ministry of Cooperation has reviewed the progress of schemes run by the Bihar Cooperative Department, with Director (Policy) Mukesh Kumar calling for increased fertiliser distribution through Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), greater rural entrepreneurship and stronger cooperative institutions.
The review meeting on Thursday examined the implementation of central and state government schemes, the expansion of cooperative societies and measures to improve services for farmers and rural communities. Rajnish Kumar Singh, Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Bihar, was also present.
Mukesh Kumar directed officials to expand fertiliser distribution through PACS to improve local availability for farmers. He also emphasised the need to accelerate efforts to make PACS financially stronger, multipurpose institutions capable of undertaking a wider range of economic activities.
The meeting highlighted the importance of training and capacity-building programmes to help cooperative societies operate more effectively and provide better services to their members.
Bihar Has 28,951 Cooperative Societies With 1.61 Crore Members
According to figures presented during the review, Bihar has 28,951 registered cooperative societies with more than 1.61 crore members.
Banking services are provided through 291 branches of 23 District Central Cooperative Banks and the Bihar State Cooperative Bank.
The meeting reviewed progress in PACS computerisation, the expansion of Common Service Centres (CSCs) and digital banking services delivered through cooperative banks.
Under the first phase of computerisation, 4,477 PACS have been computerised, while 5,828 PACS are operating Common Service Centres.
These centres provide services in rural areas, including PAN card applications, farmer registration and electricity bill payments. The expansion of these facilities is intended to improve access to essential services without requiring residents to travel long distances.
Bihar Completes 7,516 Warehouses Under State Scheme
The meeting also reviewed warehouse construction under the world’s largest grain storage plan and the state government’s own scheme.
Under the state scheme, 7,516 warehouses have been completed so far, according to the department.
The expansion of storage infrastructure is intended to strengthen rural storage capacity and support agricultural supply chains. Better facilities can also help cooperative institutions manage agricultural produce more effectively.
The review covered efforts to expand banking access in rural areas. Under these initiatives, 1,008 cooperative societies are working as banking correspondents or through the DMA/Bank Mitra model, providing banking-related services to rural communities.
PACS To Expand Into Multipurpose Service Centres
The Union Cooperation Ministry director stressed the need to promote entrepreneurship through PACS and strengthen their role beyond traditional credit and agricultural activities.
The meeting reviewed plans to develop PACS as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samriddhi Kendras and Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendras, enabling them to provide additional services to farmers and local communities.
Officials also discussed measures to expand the commercial activities of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), with the aim of improving market access and creating more business opportunities in rural areas.
Training and capacity-building were identified as important requirements for enabling cooperative societies to diversify their operations and function as financially sustainable institutions.
350 Vegetable Collection Centres Planned At Panchayat Level
The meeting reviewed initiatives to improve market access and storage facilities for vegetable-growing farmers through VEGFED, the state’s cooperative vegetable marketing federation.
Plans to establish 350 vegetable collection centres at the panchayat level were also discussed.
The proposed centres are intended to strengthen the collection and marketing of vegetables by providing farmers with better access to markets and storage facilities. The initiative forms part of broader efforts to improve agricultural marketing through cooperative institutions.
The review also covered the development of Farmer Producer Organisations and measures to encourage their commercial activities.
Paddy Procurement And Cooperative Sugar Mills Also Reviewed
The meeting examined progress in paddy procurement, training programmes for cooperative societies and proposals related to the establishment of cooperative sugar mills.
Officials also discussed the implementation of the Bihar State Cooperative Policy 2026, which is intended to guide the development and strengthening of cooperative institutions across the state.
The discussions focused on improving the implementation of government schemes and expanding the role of cooperatives in agriculture, rural banking, storage, marketing and other economic activities.
The department’s review sought to identify areas requiring greater attention and strengthen coordination in implementing central and state government initiatives.
Senior Cooperative Department Officials Attend Meeting
Senior officials present at the meeting included Additional Registrars Vikas Kumar Bariyar and Ramnaresh Pandey, along with Joint Registrars Kameshwar Thakur, Samaresh Kumar and Nikesh Kumar. Other departmental officials also attended.
The review comes amid efforts to expand the role of cooperative institutions in delivering agricultural, financial and public services in Bihar.
The department’s priorities include increasing fertiliser availability through PACS, expanding digital services, improving storage infrastructure and creating more opportunities for rural entrepreneurship.
The impact of these initiatives will depend on their implementation and the ability of cooperative societies to deliver accessible and reliable services to farmers and other members.
