Measuring PACCS Strength in the Kongu Region: A Comparative Assessment of Eight Districts in Tamil Nadu

Abstract

This study measures the institutional strength of Primary Agricultural Cooperative Credit Societies (PACCS) across eight districts of the Kongu Region of Tamil Nadu. The study covers Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Erode, Dharmapuri, Salem, Namakkal, The Nilgiris and Krishnagiri. The analysis focuses on the number of PACCS, their distribution across circles, loan services and supporting DCCB branch networks. The eight districts together account for 1,172 PACCS functioning across 16 circles, with Salem recording the highest presence of 205 societies. The study also identifies considerable variation in PACCS strength and cooperative banking support across the selected districts. The findings highlight Salem as a leading cooperative centre and emphasise the importance of strengthening PACCS in comparatively weaker districts.