NEW DELHI, 01 February 2018 : In order to encourage professionalism in post-harvest value addition in agriculture, Indian Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Arun Jaitley proposed to allow hundred per cent deduction to companies registered as Farmer Producer Companies while while presenting the General Budget 2018-19 in Parliament.

Any FPO having annual turnover up to Rs.100 crores in respect of their profit derived from such activities for a period of five years from financial year 2018-19, Jaitley undderlined.

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 (FPO) have been set-up along the lines of co-operative societies which also provide similar assistance to their members.

Thus, Jaitley said, such tax incentive will encourage “Operation Greens” mission announced earlier and it will give a boost to Sampada Yojana.