Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has launched an intensive membership drive to expand the reach of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) across the state, with a target of enrolling 10 lakh new members by 30 June. The campaign, which kicked off on 14 April, is aimed at deepening the cooperative movement and strengthening financial inclusion for farmers in rural Madhya Pradesh.

Key Targets and Directives

Alongside the membership push, Chief Minister Yadav has set an annual target of issuing 1.25 lakh new Kisan Credit Cards, giving more farmers streamlined access to institutional credit. The directives were issued during a review of the Cooperation Department at the Mantralaya in Bhopal on Thursday, where officials were asked to accelerate efforts to shore up financially weak District Cooperative Central Banks.

Strengthening Weak Cooperative Banks

Of the 18 financially weak District Cooperative Central Banks in the state, six have already shown considerable improvement over the last two and a half years. The state government is providing share capital support in a phased manner — the first phase covers banks in Rewa, Satna, Jabalpur, Shivpuri, Gwalior, and Datia, while Bhind, Morena, Raisen, Sagar, Sidhi, and Narmadapuram are slated for the next phase.

Digital Push: Full Computerisation and Mobile App

In a notable achievement, all 4,536 PACS in Madhya Pradesh have been fully computerised under a Central government scheme, placing the state at the top nationally on this metric. Chief Minister Yadav has directed the launch of a dedicated mobile application to enable seamless digital transactions through these societies, further modernising rural cooperative banking.

Sector Growth and National Partnerships

The cooperation sector has recorded broad-based growth. Seed-producing cooperative societies have produced and marketed 14 lakh quintals of certified seeds over the past two years. The number of milk cooperative societies has grown by 1,102 new additions, taking the total to 5,562. This expansion has facilitated the opening of accounts for 76,000 new members in District Cooperative Banks, directly advancing financial inclusion in rural areas.

On the national partnerships front, the Madhya Pradesh State Cooperative Seed Federation signed a memorandum of understanding with Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Ltd, generating business worth ₹17 crore and enrolling 844 PACS as members. The State Cooperative Marketing Federation tied up with National Cooperative Organics Ltd, adding 1,335 PACS, while an agreement with National Cooperative Exports Ltd brought in 1,612 more PACS. Work is reportedly underway to identify specific products for these national collaborations.

With the membership drive, digital infrastructure upgrades, and national-level tie-ups converging, Madhya Pradesh's cooperative sector appears positioned for a significant structural expansion — the outcomes by 30 June will be a key early indicator.