As the United Nations Organization (UNO) has declared 2025 as the international year of Cooperatives under the theme ‘Cooperatives build a better world’, Minister for Cooperative, Agriculture Production and Rural Development departments, recently said that the Jammu and Kashmir has made significant strides in strengthening Cooperative sector for welfare and progress of farmers and rural communities.

He said that special focus is being given on the cooperative sector globally and J&K is also keenly focusing on promotion of the sector and all serious efforts shall be made under the theme, decided by UNO.

He said that computerisation of 537 Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS) at a cost of Rs. 1746.27 lakh has significantly strengthened cooperative sector in Jammu and Kashmir.

Highlighting the importance of digitization of PACS, the Minister said that it has enhanced operational efficiency, improved transparency and promoted financial inclusion, ensuring better service delivery for farmers and rural communities.

Under the Central Ministry, a series of transformative initiatives including UT level Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), have been implemented to modernize and expand cooperative institutions across the region. Improving healthcare access to the people, establishment of 46 Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendras (PMJAKs) through PACS have been established, making quality medicines available at affordable rates and reducing healthcare costs for rural populations.