Poverty alleviation and economic development of the rural areas has been one of the most important challenges before the Indian Economy. The rural economy being predominantly agrarian, one of the important requirements is to ensure agricultural production by farmer collectives, which will sustain the “inclusive economic growth”. This can be achieved by producer induced measures for quality production, value addition and marketing. The producer collectives can be “Producer Owned Companies” through which farmers would derive the maximum economic benefit.

  Based on the recommendations of an expert committee, the concept of Producer Companies was introduced in 2002 by incorporating a new Part IX A in the Companies Act. The objectives of Producer Companies include one or more of the eleven items specified in the Act, which covers production, processing, supply of inputs, technical and consultancy services, insurance, power, revitalization of land & water resources etc.

  However, adoption of this concept has been rather slow. So far, less than 150 companies have been registered. In view of this, AFC is organizing a detailed deliberation on the relevance & importance of the concept of “Farmer Owned Companies” with stakeholders, namely practitioners and policy makers on its prospects to work out a national strategy to boost promotion of such companies. The Round-table will commence at 10.00 am on 31st January 2009 at Tagore Hall, Scope Convention Centre, Scope Complex, 7, Lodhi Road, New Delhi 110003 as per enclosed agenda.