A producer company is basically a company registered to deal with the primary production, harvesting, procurement, grading, pooling, handling, marketing, selling, the export of primary produce of the Members related to farming or import of goods or services for their benefit. Hence, a producer company at first deals with agriculture and post harvesting activities. Producer companies were introduced to empower farmers. In a producer company, you can appoint agricultural members and accept deposits in the form of RD/FD and provide them maturity as well as distribute loans to your farmer members and charge interest from them.
Producer companies can be formed with ten or more producers or two or more producer institutions or a combination of 10 or more producers. It should have equity capital and it also requires a minimum of five directors and also authorized capital of Rs. 5 lakh. However, you need to keep in mind that a producer company cannot be converted into a public company but can be converted into a multi-state co-operative society.
The process of registering a producer company is similar to a private limited company. For the purpose of incorporation of producer company you need to ensure and abide by Part IXA of Companies Act, 1956 which is applicable until any special Act is enacted for such companies.
Benefits of Opting for a Producer Company?
SEPARATE LEGAL ENTITY : A Producer company is considered as a separate legal entity and it can hold property in its name, borrow in its name, etc.
LIMITED LIABILITY : The members are not liable for the creditors of the company. as the company is considered to be separate than the members.
NO CLAIM ON PROPERTY OF COMPANY : No member has any right to claim the property of a Producer Company as far as it is a going concern.
PERPETUAL SUCCESSION : The existence of a producer company does get affected for any reason like departure from the position or even death of any member.
CREDIBILITY : A Producer Company is managed by the central government when compared to mutual benefit organizations that are registered and monitored by state governments. Because the same producer company enjoys greater credibility in the market.