Nestled in the picturesque foothills of the Western Ghats, near the renowned Silent Valley National Park, lies the Mannarkkad Rural Service Co-operative Bank Limited (MRSCB)—a shining example of grassroots success in Kerala’s cooperative movement. Established in 1989 with just 305 members and a humble share capital of ₹30,000, MRSCB has grown into a thriving multi-service institution, transforming lives across the region.
Kerala’s cooperative model has long been at the heart of its development. It stands out as the top-performing state among all Indian states in the SDG index, and has Human Development Index ranking of 7.5, on par with developed nations. MRSCB serves the farmers, casual labourers and tribal communities living in the surrounding areas.
What started as a small financial institution focused on credit and thrift services has now expanded into a comprehensive economic hub, offering:
- Banking & Microfinance Services for small farmers and local businesses.
- Rural Agro Markets, enabling direct farmer-to-consumer sales.
- Consumer Supermarkets selling meat, milk, fish and other advanced processing and storage services.
- Medical Services, with a pharmacy, diagnostic lab, and healthcare support.
- Restaurants and coffee shops.
MRSCB has 16,500 members covering every household in its operational area.
In the 2023-24 financial year, the Society’s annual business turnover reached 7,200 million rupees. MRSCB has been profitable since its inception and regularly distributes dividends to its members.
Beyond financial success, the Society provides permanent jobs to more than 100 people living in the local community, offering them stable income and comprehensive employment benefits.
The Society’s initiatives and success impacts the income and living standards of local communities. Farmers can easily sell their products at the MRSCB’s open markets, and tribal honey collectors from the deep forests of Silent Valley receive premium prices for their products. Local consumers benefit from access to quality, affordable groceries and essential services without depending on distant markets.
MRSCB truly special is its unwavering commitment to cooperative values—equity, inclusivity, and sustainability. In the heart of Kerala, MRSCB isn’t just a cooperative; its unwavering commitment to the cooperative values and principles show that when communities come together, prosperity follows.