**Executive Summary:**
The Ministry of Cooperation is implementing a project to computerize functional Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) with an increased financial outlay of ₹2925.39 Crore. The project entails implementing a common Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software to connect PACS with NABARD through State Cooperative Banks (StCBs) and District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs). The goal is to enhance efficiency, transparency, and service delivery, including integrating PACS with national platforms.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
* **Project Overview:**
* Computerization of functional PACS with a financial outlay of ₹2925.39 Crore.
* Implementation of a common, customizable ERP-based national software for all functional PACS.
* Linking PACS with NABARD through StCBs and DCCBs.
* **Implementation & Monitoring:**
* Multi-layered approach with regular monthly review meetings with States/UTs.
* Engagement of key stakeholders like States/UTs and NABARD.
* Structured monitoring framework through various committees at the National, State, and District levels (NLMIC, SLIMC, DLIMC, SCDC, DCDC).
* **Benefits of ERP Software:**
* Enhanced efficiency through a Common Accounting System (CAS) and Management Information System (MIS).
* Strengthened governance and transparency.
* Faster loan disbursal, reduced transaction costs, and seamless accounting.
* Comprehensive integration of functionalities, including membership management, financial services, procurement, PDS, business planning, and HR management.
* Provision for integration of RuPay and Kisan Credit Card (KCC) databases.
* **Integration with National Platforms:**
* Development of PACS as hubs for delivering benefits from various schemes (PMKSK, CSCs, PMBJK).
* Integration of PACS ERP system with national platforms like PMKSK, CSCs, PMBJK, and Kisan Rin Portal.
* **Training and Handholding:**
* NABARD provides training and handholding support.
* Details of training imparted are listed in Annexure A.
**Impact Analysis:**
**PACS:**
* *Impact:* Enhanced operational efficiency, improved governance, access to a wider range of services and integration with national platforms.
* *Action Required:* Adopt and implement the provided ERP software, participate in training programs, and integrate with national platforms.
**Small and Marginal Farmers:**
* *Impact:* Faster loan disbursal, reduced transaction costs, and access to integrated services through PACS.
* *Action Required:* Engage with PACS for availing benefits of digitalization and participate in relevant training programs.
**State Governments/UTs:**
* *Impact:* Oversight and coordination of cooperative sector initiatives including PACS computerization.
* *Action Required:* Participate in regular review meetings, engage with stakeholders, and implement the monitoring framework.
**NABARD:**
* *Impact:* Key role in linking PACS with StCBs and DCCBs, providing training, and supporting the implementation of the ERP software.
* *Action Required:* Provide necessary handholding and training to PACS and facilitate the integration of PACS with the national financial platforms.
Key Entities Referenced
Primary Agricultural Credit Societies: A type of cooperative credit institution that provides short-term and medium-term loans to farmers.
PACS Enterprise Resource Planning: A software solution designed to integrate various functions of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), such as accounting, loan management, and member services.
NABARD: National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, an apex development finance institution in India.
PMKISAN: Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, a government scheme providing income support to small and marginal farmers.
Kisan Credit Card: A credit scheme that provides farmers with access to timely and adequate credit for their farming needs.
Common Service Centres: A network of access points for delivery of various digital services to rural citizens.
Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras: A campaign launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Government of India, to provide quality medicines at affordable prices to the masses through dedicated outlets.
Odisha: A state in eastern India where PACS computerization training is being implemented.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COOPERATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1397
TO BE ANSWERED ON 29th July, 2025
Uniform Software for Primary Agricultural Credit Societies
1397. Shri Dushyant Singh:
Will the Minister of Cooperation (सहकारिता मंत्री) be pleased to state:
(a) the steps being taken to ensure universal adoption of the uniform software;
(b) whether the Government will ensure that small and marginal farmers benefit equally
from digitalisation, especially those who may not be digitally literate, if so, the details
thereof;
(c) whether there are any plans to integrate PACS Enterprise Resource Planning with
other national financial platforms such as PM-KISAN, eNAM, or Kisan Credit Card
loan portals for a more streamlined agricultural credit system; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF COOPERATION
सहकारिता मंत्री (SHRI AMIT SHAH)
(a) Government of India is implementing this Project of Computerization of
functional PACS with a total financial outlay of ₹2,516 Crore which has now been
increased upto 2925.39 Crore which entails bringing all the functional PACS onto an
ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) based common national software, linking them
with NABARD through State Cooperative Banks (StCBs) and District Central
Cooperative Banks (DCCBs). This common ERP software is provided to all the PACS
in the project, across the country, to capture data on all functionalities of PACS, both
credit and non-credit. This software is customizable for state-specific needs. Ministry
of Cooperation (MoC) has adopted a multi-layered approach to ensure effective
implementation at the grassroots level. Regular monthly review meetings are conducted
with States/UTs to assess progress, particularly in the PACS computerization Project.
Key stakeholders like States/UTs, including NABARD have been engaged to review
the implementation of this project. Additionally, a structured monitoring framework hasbeen established, comprising the National Level Monitoring and Implementation
Committee (NLMIC), State and District Level Implementation and Monitoring
Committees (SLIMC and DLIMC), State Cooperative Development Committee
(SCDC) (under the Chief Secretary), and District Cooperative Development Committee
(DCDC) (under the District Collector). These bodies ensure effective implementation,
oversight, and coordination of all cooperative sector initiatives, including PACS
computerization.
(b) The ERP-based common national software enhances the efficiency of PACS
operations through a Common Accounting System (CAS) and Management
Information System (MIS). Additionally, it strengthens governance and transparency,
resulting in faster loan disbursal, reduced transaction costs, minimized payment
imbalances, and seamless accounting with DCCBs and StCBs. Furthermore, training
and necessary handholding support provided by NABARD ensures that small and
marginal farmers, including those who may not be digitally literate, benefit equally from
digitalization. A comprehensive ERP solution integrates multiple functionalities,
including membership management, financial services such as deposits and lending
(short-term, medium-term, and long-term), procurement, processing units, Public
Distribution System (PDS), business planning, warehousing, merchandising,
borrowings, asset management, and human resource management. Additionally, it has
provision to incorporate RuPay and Kisan Credit Card (KCC)/ database integrations to
facilitate seamless financial transactions for PACS members. The details of training
imparted in the project are at Annexure ‘A’.
(c) to (d): Yes, PACS are developed as hubs for delivering benefits from schemes
such as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samriddhi Kendras (PMKSK), Common Service Centres
(CSCs), Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJK), interest subvention,
fertiliser and seed distribution, Public Distribution System(PDS) outlets,
LPG/Petrol/Diesel dealerships, Custom Hiring, etc.. The Government has initiated steps
to integrate the PACS ERP system with other national platforms to streamline
agricultural credit and service delivery. These include integration with Pradhan Mantri
Kisan Samriddhi Kendras (PMKSK), Common Service Centres (CSCs), Pradhan
Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJK), Kisan Rin Portal etc.Annexure ‘A’
PACS Training and Handholding Details
Sum of
Total
Sanction Training Handholding
S. No State PACS to PACS to PACS
Andaman and
1 Nicobar 46 46 46
2 Andhra Pradesh 2037 592 1469
3 Arunachal Pradesh 14 11 11
4 Assam 583 539 572
5 Bihar 4495 1698 1336
6 Chhattisgarh 2028 2028 2025
7 Daman and Diu 4 0 4
8 Goa 58 41 14
9 Gujarat 5754 5618 1440
10 Haryana 710 600 585
11 Himachal Pradesh 1789 831 617
12 Jammu and Kashmir 537 533 465
13 Jharkhand 2797 1368 168
14 Karnataka 5682 3702 24
15 Ladakh 10 7 0
16 Madhya Pradesh 5188 3900 4488
17 Maharashtra 12000 6858 8520
18 Manipur 232 169 0
19 Meghalaya 112 99 46
20 Mizoram 49 25 23
21 Nagaland 231 30 9
22 Odisha 2711 0 0
23 Pondicherry 45 43 33
24 Punjab 3482 948 861
25 Rajasthan 7468 5583 1847
26 Sikkim 107 104 29
27 Tamil Nadu 4532 4531 3001
28 Tripura 268 207 159
29 Uttar Pradesh 5686 1098 0
30 Uttarakhand 670 0 0
31 West Bengal 4167 3113 44
Grand Total 73492 44322 27836
* Odisha has recently joined the Project