Context:
The Government of India, through the Ministry of Cooperation (MoC) and in coordination with NABARD, is implementing a national project to computerize all functional Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) using an ERP-based common software platform.
Key Highlights:
- Revised Financial Outlay:
- Initially: ₹2,516 crore
- Revised: ₹2,925.39 crore
- Objective:
- To bring all functional PACS under a uniform ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software, enabling seamless data capture and integration of credit and non-credit activities.
- Linkage Structure:
- PACS to be linked with District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs)
- DCCBs to be linked with State Cooperative Banks (StCBs)
- All tiers coordinated via NABARD
ERP System Capabilities
- Integrated Functional Modules:
- Credit (short, medium, long-term loans), deposits, and accounting
- Non-credit services: PDS, procurement, warehousing, processing units
- Administrative functions: membership, HRM, MIS, CAS
- Support for Kisan Credit Card (KCC), RuPay integration, and digital payments
- Benefits:
- Faster loan processing
- Reduced transaction costs
- Transparent operations and governance
- Improved linkage with DCCBs and StCBs
- Empowerment of digitally less-literate small and marginal farmers through training and handholding
Integration with Other Government Schemes
PACS are being developed as multi-service delivery hubs with integration into:
- Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samriddhi Kendras (PMKSK)
- Common Service Centres (CSCs)
- Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJK)
- Fertiliser & seed distribution
- Public Distribution System (PDS)
- LPG/Fuel dealerships, Custom Hiring Centres
- Kisan Rin Portal and other national agri-credit platforms
