Phase IFoundation
Background
Overview
PACS are fundamental to India's rural economy, agricultural credit, and the cooperative movement. Their modernization, diversification, and governance reforms are key policy initiatives impacting farmers' welfare, financial inclusion, and the effectiveness of government schemes.
Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) are the grassroots-level institutions of the short-term cooperative credit structure in India, directly providing credit and other services to farmers in rural areas. They form the base of the three-tier cooperative credit system.