Guwahati, 10 September (HS): Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday inaugurated PepsiCo India’s ₹778 crore state-of-the-art potato chips manufacturing plant at Banekuchi in Nalbari, marking a major addition to the state’s food-processing and industrial sector.

The plant, spread across around 120 bighas, has created more than 200 direct and 500 indirect employment opportunities, with women accounting for 75% of its workforce. Around 120 women have also undergone specialised digital skills training.

Dr. Sarma said the project, whose foundation stone was laid on September 6, 2023, was completed and commissioned within three years. He said chips manufactured at the facility would carry the identity “Made in Banekuchi, Nalbari, Assam” and reach consumers across the country.

To ensure year-round potato availability, Ross Food Chain Solutions has established a 10,000 MT-capacity cold storage facility at a cost of ₹35 crore. The facility has generated 45 direct and 150 indirect jobs.

The Chief Minister said PepsiCo currently requires around 30,000 MT of potatoes annually for the plant, with the demand expected to increase to 70,000 MT by 2030. Farmers in Nalbari, Kamrup and Darrang will be encouraged to cultivate specialised potato varieties required for chips production, while PepsiCo will procure locally grown potatoes at predetermined prices.

He said the State Government would bring specialised potato cultivation under the crop insurance scheme and extend support through Kisan Credit Cards for purchasing improved seeds. A tripartite agreement has been signed between the Assam Government, PepsiCo and State Bank of India for the initiative. Additional financial assistance or subsidies for farmers are also under consideration.

Dr. Sarma said industrialisation was crucial to creating local employment and reducing the migration of Assam’s youth in search of jobs. He said the Government was working to build an ecosystem that would provide young people with dignified employment and entrepreneurship opportunities within the state.

According to the Chief Minister, Assam has attracted investments exceeding ₹5 lakh crore across sectors, including ₹2.86 lakh crore in hydrocarbons and petrochemicals, ₹1 lakh crore in power, ₹55,000 crore in infrastructure, ₹53,000 crore in mining and around ₹30,000 crore in electronics. Projects worth around ₹3 lakh crore are currently under implementation and could generate employment for nearly one lakh youths.

He also highlighted major upcoming projects, including the ₹50,000 crore thermal power plant at Chapor in Dhubri, a new 12 lakh MT fertiliser plant at Namrup, expansion of Numaligarh Refinery and the semiconductor project at Jagiroad.

On employment and self-reliance, Dr. Sarma said the state had provided 1.7 lakh government jobs and initiated the process for another two lakh recruitments. Under the Chief Minister’s Atmanirbhar Asom Abhiyan, youths are being provided collateral-free financial assistance of ₹2 lakh to promote self-employment and entrepreneurship.

The Chief Minister also announced measures for Nalbari’s development, including ₹25,000 assistance to women’s self-help groups and financial support through grants and loans for youths. He said urgent measures had also been taken to strengthen flood protection and road connectivity in the Banekuchi area.

Finance Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah, Skill, Employment and Entrepreneurship Minister Biswajit Daimary, MLAs Chandramohan Patowary, Narayan Deka and Taranga Gogoi, PepsiCo India CEO Jagrut Kotecha, senior government officials, project representatives and more than 1,000 local farmers attended the inauguration.-------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash