Primary Agricultural Credit Cooperative Society Limited, Bhansoj , Block- Arang, District Raipur

Society Information:

1. Establishment - 17.03.1959
2. Base Villages - 5 (Bhansoj, Chorhadih, Barcha, Malidih, Karhidih)
3. PDS Shops - 3 (Bhansoj, Barcha, Mali Dilli)
4. Khadi Infrastructure - Bhansoj (200MT, 50MT)
5. Current Membership - 2464
6. Prepaid Share - 45.16 lakhs
7. Reserve Fund - 189.94 lakh crores
8. Loan Disbursement - 449.15 lakh crores
9. Fertilizer Price - 92.71 lakhs
10. Seed Price - 14.08 lakhs
11. Consumer Goods Price: 7.97 Lakh
12. Support Price of Paddy: 83125.2 quintals
13. Profit: 55.60 Lakh

This is the story of villages, the poor, and farmers united by a spirit of cooperation. It is the story of the progress of agriculture and rural industry, rooted in Bhanasoj, 40 km from Raipur. This is the story of the Cooperative Society Bhanasoj, which has journeyed from zero to the pinnacle. When we joined Bhanasoj in 1959, Bhanasoj was a large village in the region. We reached Bhanasoj from the capital Raipur via a difficult route beyond Mandir Hasaud. At that time, Bhanasoj was the largest village in the surrounding area. The population of Gram Panchayat Bhanasoj was approximately 3,000, and 700 farmer families lived there. Paddy cultivation was the lifeline of the village. The village economy was based on paddy cultivation. Irrigation facilities included canals and wells. The farmers here relied on moneylenders for their farming and other needs. At that time, the village was dominated by moneylenders and mahajans, who were directly involved. There was no financial institution or bank in sight. Moneylenders demanded loans at high interest rates. Farmers couldn't get a fair price for their produce. Faced with hardship, the village's farmer members collectively decided to form a new cooperative society for the first time. Fifty farmer members from Bhansoj, along with 500 other farmers, enrolled the society. In this regard, the Primary Agricultural Credit Cooperative Society, Bhansoj, was registered on March 17, 1959, under registration number 1672. A president of the farmer group was appointed, who was responsible for the farmers' needs, such as fertilizers and seeds, and the cooperative structure available to farmers. Thus, an increasing number of members joined the Bhansoj Society, and the society began to become profitable. Using farmers' resources and labor donations, as well as government grants, a society building was constructed, including a 50-metric ton warehouse and an office building. At that time, the committee manager, peon, and watchman were needed to meet the farmers' farming needs.

The Bhansoj Society's area of ​​operation covers five villages. The Bhansoj Society is now under the Chief Secretary of the State. The society has been working as a Common Service Center since October 18, 2024, under the "Saharkaar Se Samriddhi" initiative of the Government of India Ministry. Bhansoj Society operates as a Common Service Center in Raipur district. The society has rehabilitated 1.53 lakh farmers. The Common Service Center Bhansoj has been awarded a Certificate of Distinction for outstanding service in Raipur district. The society continues to operate a Jan Aushadhi Kendra. On its foundation day, 12 July 2025, NABARD awarded the first prize in the "Best PACS - Non-Credit Business" category to the Bhansoj Seva Samiti.

- The Bhansoj Society currently has 2,460 members, of which 884 are borrowers. Farmers' share deposits are 4.5 million. Short-term loans of 449.15 million have been distributed to farmers. Four farmers have suffered losses of 2.60 million rupees due to the medium-term loan wire fence. Grants of 2.27 million rupees and long-term loans of 1.80 million rupees were distributed to two farmers engaged in animal husbandry. CC self-employment loans are being made available to farmers for their own businesses and financial well-being. A micro-ATM is also operating at the Bhansoj Society. Through this micro-ATM, farmers are being provided with access to 10,000 rupees.

The committee operates three beneficiary schemes under the Public Distribution System, with 648 members in Barkha village, 584 in Malidih village, and 1,168 in Bhansoj. The committee has 200 tons of paddy and 50 tons of paddy. It procures paddy from registered farmers at the support price. This committee distributed flour worth 1,814.80 lakh rupees in the year 2018. The Bhansoj committee was exposed to the operation of a savings bank.

In Bhansoj, the rural economy was strengthened through the PTA. Farmers became prosperous, freed from exploitation and poverty, and became economically self-reliant.