An Overview of Producer Company Registration

As we know that the Agricultural Industry is considered the backbone of our Indian Economy because 62 percent of the total population directly or indirectly relies on agricultural activities for their living. However, our Indian Farmers are not only unorganised but are also in a deplorable state as they are unable to afford advanced farming technologies due to a shortage of funds. Hence, it ends up struggling to get its share of the profit. As a consequence, more than 12 percent of Indian farmers choose to commit suicide.

Keeping into consideration their miserable and pitiable state, the Government finally decided to formulate an expert committee to examine the matter. Further, in the year 2002, the committee formulated brought the concept of Producer Companies in Indian Society. Since then, the Central Government has been working hard to elevate the status of Indian Producers (including farmers and agriculturalists).

What is a Producer Company?

A Producer Company is a blend of a Cooperative Society and a Private Company and is a company incorporated under the provisions of Part IX-A of the Companies Act, 1956, and also Section 465(1) of the Companies Act, 2013 to deal with the primary production of its active members related to farming. Further, the main objective or the purpose of a Producer Company includes selling, distributing and exporting primary output.

Furthermore, a Producer Company can be incorporated either with ten or more members being producers, or with two or more producer institutions, or by its combination. Moreover, like other business structures, the liability in a Producer Company is limited to the extent of the Unpaid Share Capital by its members. Therefore, a producer company is considered to be a Private Limited Company under the Companies Act, 2013. However, the ceiling on the maximum number of members does not apply to the same. The incorporation and regulations of Producer Company are governed and regulated by the provisions of the Companies Act, 1956, read with the Companies Act, 2013, and the rules made thereunder.

Objectives of a Producer Company

A Producer Company aims to encourage all the small-scale farmers so that their level of savings can increase along with the power to opt for the latest and advanced technologies in order to lead better and improved lives. The following listed are the objectives or the reasons behind incorporating a Producer Company:

• Production of the primary agricultural produce.
• Procurement of the primary agricultural produce.
• Harvesting and Grading of the primary agricultural produce.
• Poling and Handling of the primary agricultural produce.
• Marketing of the primary agricultural produce.
• Selling or Import/Export activities concerning agricultural produce.

Further, the main objective of a producer company is to simplify the formation of a Co-operative business as a private company and also to make it probable to convert an existing co-operative business into a private company.

Advantages of Producer Company Registration

The advantages or the benefits annexed with the Producer Company registration are summarised below:

• Producer Company enjoys the status of a separate legal entity.
• The liability of the members of a producer company is limited to the extent of the unpaid amount on the shares subscribed.
• Producer Company provides greater credibility to its members as compared to any unregistered organisation of farmers or agriculturalists.
• Producer Company is providing the benefit of easy management. And in case the said company wants to change in its Board of management, the same can be informed to ROC (Registrar of Companies) just by filling out simple forms.
• A registered producer company can easily acquire or sell property in its name.
• A producer company is qualified to accept deposits or give loans to the farmers at a reasonable rate of interest.
• A producer company is eligible to accept deposits in the form of FD (Fixed Deposits) or RD (Recurring Deposits). Also, read the full benefits of the Farmer Producer Company in India.

Basic Requirements for Producer Company Registration

Following listed are the requirements that need to be complied with before Producer Company Registration:

• A Minimum of 5 or a maximum of 15 directors are required for the incorporation of a Producer Company.
• Maximum 200 members: if the proposed entity wants to function as a Private Limited Company.

Important Point: Inter-state co-operative society functioning as a Producer Farmer Company may have more than 15 directors for 1 year from the Registration date of the Producer Company.

What are the Authorised Activities that a Producer Company can Perform?

The authorised activities for a producer company are mentioned under section 581 B of the Companies Act, 1956; the detailed list is enumerated below:

• Production, Procurement, Harvesting, Pooling, Grading, Marketing, Handling, Selling, or Exporting of the primary agricultural produce of the Members or Import produce for their benefit.
• Processing together with preserving, distilling, drying, venting, brewing, canning, and Packaging of the agricultural produce of its members.
• Manufacturing, selling, or supplying the equipment, machinery, or consumables primarily to its members.
• Offering education based on the principle of mutual assistance to its members and others.
• Delivering consultancy services, technical services, training, research and development (R&D), and all other activities required for the promotion of the interest of its members.
• Generation, transmission, and distribution of the power.
• The revitalisation of both land and water resources regarding their use, conservation, and communications relevant to primary produce.
• Insurance of either the producers or their primary agricultural produce.
• Promoting techniques based on the principle of mutual assistance.
• Welfare facilities or measures for the benefit of members as may be determined by the Board.

Documents Required for Producer Company Registration

The documents that are needed for incorporation of a Producer Company are listed below:

From all the Directors and Shareholders:

• Identity proof such as PAN Card, Voter ID Card, Passport, etc;
• Address Proof;
• Copy of the Latest Bank Statement;
• Utility bills such as Telephone Bill or Mobile Bill or Electricity Bill;
• Passport-sized photographs of all the Shareholders and Directors;
• Sarpanch Letter or Khasra-Khatuni or ITR with Agriculture Incomes or any other proof a person as a serving member.

For the Proposed Registered Office:

• Copy of any Utility Bill and it should not be older than two months.
• Scanned Copy of the Rent Agreement together with the NOC (No-Objection Certificate) from the actual owner.
• In case the said property is owned, then the ownership documents or the sale deed for the same.

Procedure for Producer Company Registration

The following listed are the steps involved in the process for obtaining registration of a Producer Company:

Step 1: Name Approval: First, the applicant needs to choose an appropriate name and legalise the proposed name through the SPICe+ form.

Step 2: Obtain DSC and DIN: The next step in the procedure is to obtain DSC (Digital Signature Certificate) and DIN (Director Identification Number). Further, DSC is needed to sign the documents electronically or digitally, and the Certifying Authority issues the same. Also, DIN is required for all the proposed directors of the company. Furthermore, the same can be acquired by just filing the SPICe+ form as there is no need to file a separate Form.

Step 3: Drafting of MOA and AOA: After obtaining the DSC & DIN, an application for incorporation is required to be filed in SPICe+ form together with all the necessary documents such as the MOA (Memorandum of Association), AOA (Article of Association), affidavit signed by all the members, and the declaration regarding the competency to act as legal subscribers of the company, with the respective ROC (Registrar of Companies).

Step 4: Certificate of Incorporation: After verification of the documents and the application for incorporation submitted, a Certificate of Incorporation (COI) is issued by the ROC.

Note: SPICe+ refers to an integrated digital form that provides 10 different services by 3 different Ministries operating at the State & Central Level. This e-form saves cost & time for the applicant & simplifies the registration. SPICe+ form is introduced by the Indian Government given the ongoing initiative EODB (Ease of Doing Business). MCA generally takes 30 days to issue the Registration Certificate from the date of the receipt of the application.

Rules and Regulations for the Easy Availability of Loans & Credits

A producer company is incorporated to provide timely and secure financial assistance to its members. Thus, some special provisions were prescribed in the companies act for the sanctioning of loans to the members of a Producer Company.

The ways in which Financial Assistance can be provided to the members of a Producer Company are listed below:

Credit Facility: The credit facility will be offered to a member of a producer company only for a period not exceeding more than six months.

Loans and Advances: Loans and advances will be provided to the members against some security for a period not exceeding more than seven years starting from the date of loan disbursement.

NABARD Loan: NABARD is the acronym for the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development). Further, NABARD provides financial assistance for meeting the requirements of a Producer Company. Moreover, in the year 2011, the Producer Organization Development Fund (PODF), worth Rs 50 Crore, was set up by the NABARD out of its operating surplus.

Why is a Producer Company known as a Hybrid Structure?

The reason why a producer company is considered a hybrid structure of a Co-operative Society and a Private Limited Company is that this company combines the goodness of a co-operative enterprise and the efficiency and vibrancy of a private company and also accommodates the unique facets of a co-operative business with the regulatory framework parallel to that of a Private Company.

What happens if in case a member of a producer company ceases to be a primary producer?

If in case any member of a producer company ceases to be a primary producer, then the directors of the said Producer Company will give directions for the surrender of shares at par value or at the value ascertained by the directors along with any special right attached to it. Further, the same will be done only when written notice is served by the said member, and also, an opportunity of being heard is provided to him.

Internal Audit Requirements for a Producer Company

A Producer Company is required to undergo internal audits at regular intervals by a Practising Chartered Accountant in accordance with the company’s AOA (Articles of Association). Further, an annual audit report will be made by the auditor only after doing a proper examination and investigation of the accounts of the members of a producer company.

Further, an Auditor is also required to make a report on some additional items like the outstanding debts and bad debts, an inspection of the cash balance, details and particulars of the assets and liabilities, loans offered to the directors and donations received, and subscriptions made.

Tax Benefits Availed by a Registered Producer Company

A registered producer company enjoys various tax benefits, such as the exemption from agricultural income provided under section 10(1) of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Further, the exemption varies on the basis of activities carried out by the farmers or agriculturalists, such as the agricultural income generated is exempted 100 percent, whereas the income generated from the production of Tea is 60 percent exempted as per the law.

How is a Producer Company distinct from a Public Ltd and Private Ltd Company?

Frequently Asked Questions