Transforming PACS into Multi-Purpose Cooperatives: Strengthening India’s Grassroots Economic Networks
Transforming PACS into Multi-Purpose Cooperatives: Strengthening India’s Grassroots Economic Networks
: Mumbai, 8th November 2025
In a major stride toward realizing the Government of India’s vision of establishing two lakh (200,000) Multi-Purpose Cooperative Societies (MPCS) within five years, the Ministry of Cooperation continues to empower grassroots cooperative structures through targeted capacity-building initiatives across the country.
In line with this mission, the Vaikunth Mehta National Institute of Cooperative Management (VAMNICOM), Pune, under the aegis of the Ministry of Cooperation, organized a one-day Awareness-cum-Training Programme on Multi-Purpose Fishery Cooperative Societies (MFCS) on November 7, 2025 at the Maharashtra Jillha Ekvira Fisheries & Farming Sahakari Sanstha, Arnala, Vasai, District Palghar (Maharashtra).
The programme, coordinated by Dr. Amit N. Borkar, Assistant Professor, VAMNICOM, brought together around 50 participants representing various multipurpose fishery cooperatives from the region. The training aimed to strengthen cooperative governance, financial literacy, and sustainable fishery practices.
Eminent speakers included Shri Ramdas P. Sandhe, former representative of Maharashtra Rajya Machhimar Sangh; Dr. Amit N. Borkar, VAMNICOM; Shri Vinod Vithoba Naik, President, Satpati Machhimar Vividh Karyakari Sahakari Sanstha Maryadit, Palghar; and Dr. Shivaji Argade, Senior Scientist, Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE), Mumbai.
Key deliberations focused on cooperative principles, business diversification, model bye-laws, and emerging opportunities for fishery-based cooperatives. The discussions underscored the importance of professional management, good governance, and entrepreneurial innovation in driving the cooperative movement forward.
An interactive session at the end encouraged participants to adopt community-oriented and sustainable business approaches, reinforcing the cooperative spirit of mutual growth. Through such initiatives, the Ministry of Cooperation continues to advance its vision of “Sahakar Se Samriddhi” (Prosperity through Cooperation) by fostering entrepreneurship, building capacity, and promoting sustainable economic growth at the grassroots level.
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