Digital empowerment of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies

**Executive Summary** This report outlines the progress of the digital empowerment initiative for Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) as of March 2026. It details the migration of 61,866 societies to a national ERP software, the deployment of digital infrastructure to remote areas, and the ongoing integration of the National Cooperative Database (NCD) with state-level portals. Key milestones include the execution of a broadband MoU and the provision of hardware to over 65,000 societies to bridge the digital divide. **Key Points / Main Content** **Software and ERP Migration** * As of March 10, 2026, 61,866 PACS have successfully migrated to the Common Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) based national software out of 79,630 approved societies. * States such as Maharashtra (12,036), Rajasthan (6,445), and Gujarat (5,750) lead in the number of onboarded societies. **Infrastructure and Connectivity** * An MoU between Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) and NABARD has been executed to extend high-speed broadband access to PACS via Bharat Net, specifically targeting remote and hilly regions. * Hardware kits—comprising computer systems, webcams, VPN devices, printers, and biometric devices—have been provided to 65,020 PACS. * A total of 3,864 PACS in remote areas across 12 states/UTs (including Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and several North-Eastern states) have received specialized hardware support. **Data Management and Integration** * The National Cooperative Database (NCD) has been developed to centralize data collection and updates via state-appointed nodal officers. * The NCD portal is being integrated with the portals of the State Registrars of Cooperative Societies (RCSs) through APIs to facilitate automatic data synchronization. * As of March 1, 2026, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Mizoram, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu have completed their portal integrations. **Impact Analysis** **Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS)** **Impact** Societies are transitioning from manual to digital operations through standardized ERP software and modern hardware, reducing the digital divide in remote and hilly regions. **Action Required** Approved societies that have not yet migrated must complete the onboarding process for the national ERP software and utilize provided hardware for daily transactions. **State/UT Governments and Nodal Officers** **Impact** They are responsible for the accuracy of the National Cooperative Database and the technical synchronization of local records with the central portal. **Action Required** Nodal officers must ensure regular data entry and updates in the NCD. State Registrars must complete the API integration of their local portals with the national system. **NABARD and Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN)** **Impact** These organizations serve as the primary facilitators for the physical and digital connectivity infrastructure required for the project. **Action Required** Must fulfill the MoU obligations to extend high-speed broadband access to all PACS via the Bharat Net framework.

Key Entities Referenced