Centre takes key decisions to strengthen cooperative sector

New Delhi: The government on Thursday took several key decisions to promote growth in the cooperative sector, including those involving the distribution and sale of fertilizers.

In a meeting between cooperation minister Amit Shah, and chemicals and fertilizers minister Mansukh S. Mandaviya, it was decided to identify Primary Agricultural Credit Cooperative Societies (PACS) across the country that are currently not functioning as fertilizer retailers. The government plans to encourage these PACS to transition into retailers, gradually implementing this change based on their feasibility, the ministry of cooperation said in a statement.

The expansion of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samridhi Kendras (PMKSK) was also discussed in the meeting. PACS that are not currently operating as PMKSK will be brought under the ambit of this initiative, broadening their scope and enabling them to provide more comprehensive services.

In a bid to promote the marketing of organic fertilizers, PACS will be connected to the distribution and sale of these products, with a particular focus on fermented organic manure (FoM), liquid fermented organic manure (LFOM), and phosphate enriched organic manure (PROM).

Under the Market Development Assistance (MDA) scheme of the Department of Fertilisers, fertilizer companies will act as aggregators for small bio-organic producers. As part of this supply and marketing chain, PACS will also be included as wholesalers and retailers, strengthening their role in the distribution of bio-organic fertilizers, it added.

Besides, PACS can explore new avenues as drone entrepreneurs, primarily for the purpose of spraying fertilizers and pesticides. Drones will also be employed for property surveys in the agricultural sector, enhancing efficiency and effectiveness.

The meeting was also attended by senior officials from the cooperation ministry and fertilizers department.

According to the ministry, these decisions aim to enhance the income of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies, andgenerate employment opportunities in rural areas. They will also enable the farmer to acquire fertilizers, pesticides, seeds and agricultural machinery at the local level.