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FPO INDIA

PACS Success Toolkit

A comprehensive, interactive guide empowering Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) with strategies for governance, financial services, member support, and market linkages to strengthen rural economies.

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Our Core Pillars

Governance

Ensure transparent and efficient management for sustainable operations.

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Financial Services

Provide affordable credit and input supplies to farmers.

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Member Support

Empower farmers through training and financial literacy.

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Market Linkages

Connect farmers to markets for better prices and opportunities.

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Governance

Farmers in a cooperative meeting

Overview

Effective governance ensures transparency, accountability, and compliance in PACS, fostering trust and enabling access to schemes like those from NABARDNational Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, supporting PACS with funding and training..

Key Strategies

  • Democratic Elections: Elect board members annually.
  • Transparent Records: Maintain loan and savings registers.
  • Regular Audits: Conduct annual audits for compliance.
  • Member Inclusion: Ensure representation of small and marginal farmers.
  • Conflict Resolution: Resolve disputes within 7 days.
  • External Linkages: Partner with NABARD and banks.

Implementation Steps

  1. Draft bylaws aligned with cooperative laws.
  2. Elect a management committee within 30 days.
  3. Train board members on governance (100% trained in 3 months).
  4. Monitor KPIs like audit compliance (100%) and meeting attendance (90%).
  5. Publish annual financial reports.
  6. Register with NABARDNational Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, offering support for PACS. for funding.

Case Study

The Kisan Credit PACS in Haryana achieved 95% audit compliance and secured ₹2 crore in NABARD funding, expanding credit access for 500 farmers.

Tools & Resources

  • Bylaw Templates: Available from NABARD.
  • Accounting Software: Use Tally for financial tracking.
  • Audit Guides: Download from NCDC.
  • Training Modules: Partner with cooperatives for workshops.

Metrics for Success

  • Audit compliance rate:
  • Meeting attendance rate:
  • Member satisfaction score:
  • Dispute resolution time:

Financial Services

Farmer receiving credit

Overview

PACS provide affordable credit, input supplies, and financial services to farmers, ensuring timely access to resources for agricultural productivity.

Key Strategies

  • Low-Interest Loans: Offer crop loans at 7% interest.
  • Input Supply: Distribute seeds, fertilizers, and equipment.
  • Bank Linkages: Facilitate KCCKisan Credit Card, a scheme for easy credit access. loans.
  • Savings Accounts: Encourage farmer savings accounts.
  • Insurance Schemes: Promote crop and health insurance.
  • Financial Planning: Provide budgeting tools for farmers.

Implementation Steps

  1. Open a cooperative bank account.
  2. Develop loan and input distribution policies.
  3. Train staff on financial services (100% trained in 2 months).
  4. Partner with banks for KCC and insurance schemes.
  5. Monitor loan disbursement (target: 90% on-time).
  6. Track repayment rates (target: 95%).

Case Study

The Pragati PACS in Maharashtra disbursed ₹5 crore in KCC loans, enabling 300 farmers to purchase modern equipment, increasing yields by 20%.

Tools & Resources

  • Tally ERP: For loan and savings tracking.
  • KCC Guides: Available from NABARD.
  • Excel Templates: For budgeting and planning.
  • Insurance Schemes: Explore PMFBY resources.

Metrics for Success

  • Loan disbursement rate:
  • Repayment rate:
  • Input distribution coverage:
  • Savings account growth:

Member Support

Farmers training session

Overview

Member support strengthens farmer capabilities through training, financial literacy, and advisory services, ensuring sustainable agricultural growth.

Key Strategies

  • Training Programs: Offer workshops on modern farming techniques.
  • Financial Literacy: Educate on loan management and savings.
  • Advisory Services: Provide crop and market advice.
  • Feedback Systems: Use surveys to address farmer needs.
  • Community Events: Organize field days for knowledge sharing.
  • Technology Access: Promote mobile apps for farming updates.

Implementation Steps

  1. Create a training calendar (4 workshops/year).
  2. Partner with agricultural universities for expertise.
  3. Train members on financial literacy (80% participation).
  4. Set up digital feedback forms via Google Forms.
  5. Monitor training attendance (target: 85%).
  6. Host annual farmer fairs.

Case Study

The Samruddhi PACS in Gujarat trained 200 farmers on organic farming, increasing yields by 15% and improving loan repayment rates by 10%.

Tools & Resources

  • Google Forms: For feedback collection.
  • FarmRise App: For crop and weather updates.
  • Training Modules: Available from NABARD.
  • Zoom: For virtual workshops.

Metrics for Success

  • Training participation rate:
  • Feedback response rate:
  • Farmer satisfaction score:
  • Event attendance rate:

Market Linkages

Farmers at market

Overview

Market linkages connect farmers to buyers, ensuring better prices and access to larger markets through platforms like eNAMNational Agriculture Market, an online platform for trading agricultural produce..

Key Strategies

  • eNAM Integration: Register PACS on eNAM for online trading.
  • Bulk Contracts: Negotiate with agribusinesses for bulk sales.
  • Market Information: Share price updates via SMS or apps.
  • Value Addition: Support processing units for higher margins.
  • Logistics Support: Provide storage and transport facilities.
  • Buyer Networks: Build ties with FPOs and retailers.

Implementation Steps

  1. Register on eNAM within 60 days.
  2. Train members on digital market platforms (80% adoption).
  3. Partner with FPOs for collective marketing.
  4. Monitor sales volume growth (target: 20% annually).
  5. Develop storage facilities with NABARD support.
  6. Share market updates weekly via WhatsApp.

Case Study

The Ujjwal PACS in Punjab linked 400 farmers to eNAM, increasing their income by 25% through direct sales to urban buyers.

Tools & Resources

  • eNAM Portal: For online trading.
  • WhatsApp Business: For market updates.
  • Excel Dashboards: For sales tracking.
  • NABARD Guides: Available from NABARD.

Metrics for Success

  • eNAM adoption rate:
  • Sales volume growth:
  • Market linkage coverage:
  • Farmer income increase:

Why Our PACS Toolkit Stands Out

Farmer Empowerment

Enhance farmer livelihoods through credit and training.

Market Access

Connect farmers to profitable markets.

Economic Growth

Boost rural economies through financial services.

Scalable Solutions

Adapt services to growing farmer needs.

Financial Security

Protect farmers with insurance and savings.

Continuous Learning

Equip farmers with modern skills.

CTA PACS

Need Help With Your Agriculture Credit Society?

Contact your nearest NABARD office, District Cooperative Bank, or State Cooperative Department for PACS-related assistance.

Government Support

State Cooperative Departments

Banking Support

NABARD & District Banks

Training Partners

Cooperative Training Institutes

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