In order to encourage professionalism in post-harvest value addition in agriculture, the Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Shri Arun Jaitley proposed to allow hundred per cent deduction to companies registered as Farmer Producer Companies and having annual turnover up to ₹ 100 crores in respect of their profit derived from such activities for a period of five years from financial year 2018-19. This was announced by the Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley while presenting the General Budget 2018-19 in Parliament here today.

The Finance Minister mentioned that at present, hundred per cent deduction is allowed in respect of profit of co-operative societies which provide assistance to its members engaged in primary agricultural activities. Over the last few years, a number of Farmer Producer Companies have been set-up along the lines of co-operative societies which also provide similar assistance to their members. Thus, Shri Jaitley said, such tax incentive will encourage “Operation Greens” mission announced earlier and it will give a boost to Sampada Yojana.

Tax incentive for Farmer Producer Companies encourages post-harvest value addition by permitting a time-limited profit deduction. A time-limited tax incentive permits hundred per cent deduction of profits from post-harvest activities for companies registered as Farmer Producer Companies that meet the specified turnover eligibility, applicable for five years from the stated financial year to encourage professionalism in post-harvest value addition.