Ministry of Cooperation has been making significant strides toward strengthening the cooperative movement, making it more inclusive and sustainable. A key part of this initiative is the establishment of national-level cooperative societies under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) Act of 2002, as well as the deepening of the reach of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS).
New National-Level Cooperative Societies
With the approval of the Union Cabinet, three new national-level cooperative societies have been set up: National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL), National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL), and Bharatiya Beej Sahkari Samiti Limited (BBSSL). These initiatives aim to uplift cooperatives by fostering a global reach, promoting organic farming, and enhancing seed production—all crucial elements for a thriving agricultural sector.
National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL)
NCEL focuses on the export of agricultural products produced by cooperatives. Launched by major entities like IFFCO, NAFED, and GCMMF, NCEL has already exported over 1 million metric tons of agricultural goods worth ₹4,121 crores in FY 2024-25. With more than 8,800 cooperative members, NCEL aims to establish India as a global player in agricultural exports, creating sustainable income sources for rural farmers.
National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL)
The NCOL initiative is a joint effort to promote organic farming in India. By providing institutional support for aggregation, certification, and marketing of organic products, NCOL facilitates cooperatives at all levels to access markets for their organic produce. As of now, over 5,000 cooperatives are members of NCOL. The launch of the ‘Bharat Organics’ brand has successfully placed organic products like pulses, spices, and sweeteners in major retail outlets across India.
Bharatiya Beej Sahkari Samiti Limited (BBSSL)
BBSSL’s focus is to improve the availability and quality of seeds in India, which is crucial for enhancing agricultural productivity. By ensuring the production and distribution of indigenous and high-quality seeds, BBSSL contributes to food security and rural prosperity. With more than 17,000 cooperative members, BBSSL continues to provide essential seeds to farmers, reducing dependency on imported varieties.
Strengthening PACS: The Backbone of Rural Finance
One of the most ambitious projects to strengthen cooperatives is the modernization of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS). The government is working on computerizing these societies through a ₹2,516 crore initiative, which will link all functional PACS across India with an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system. This will bring efficiency, transparency, and better governance to rural banking systems, enabling quicker loan disbursals and lower transaction costs.
To date, over 50,000 PACS have been onboarded on the ERP software. This modernization will ensure that PACS, which serve as the primary financial support system for farmers, can better manage operations and meet the needs of their members.
