NEW DELHI, 2 June 2025: Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Monday emphasized the urgent need to expand loan facilities to Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) to improve their financial viability and boost rural infrastructure.
During a high-level review meeting on the development of the world’s largest cooperative food grain storage network, Shah stressed that PACS must become an integral part of the scheme to enhance their economic sustainability and social outreach.
He directed the Ministry of Food and Public Distribution and the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to conduct nationwide warehouse mapping to enable region-specific implementation of the scheme.
Shah also instructed key cooperative institutions—FCI, NAFED, NCCF, and State Warehousing Corporations—to link PACS with existing warehouses, ensuring a robust supply chain.
States were urged to actively involve more PACS in the initiative and integrate State-Level Marketing Federations for a comprehensive cooperative-driven ecosystem.
Calling the scheme a cornerstone for ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Sahkar Se Samriddhi’, Shah said it would significantly contribute to GDP growth and employment generation in rural India.
Also present were Ministers of State for Cooperation, Krishan Pal Gurjar and Murlidhar Mohol, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Cooperation, NABARD, and the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC).
According to the National Cooperative Database, India has over 1 lakh PACS, highlighting the vast potential of the sector.
Launched in 2020, the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) aims to provide medium to long-term financing for the development of agri-infrastructure. Originally set to conclude in 2030, the scheme has now been extended to 2032-33.
