Assam seeks 70,000 tons of local potatoes for processing plant

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Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has called on growers in Nalbari, Kamrup, and Darrang to increase potato cultivation to supply PepsiCo’s newly opened processing plant in Nalbari, around 65 km northwest of Guwahati.

Speaking at the factory’s inauguration on September 10, Sarma said the aim is for potato requirements to be supplied by growers within Assam rather than sourcing tubers from other Indian states, including West Bengal and Gujarat.

The state government is seeking to establish a market for growers by facilitating the procurement of around 70,000 tons of potatoes for the plant.

The Agriculture Department will work with growers to expand potato cultivation and address crop losses associated with flooding and excessive rainfall. According to Sarma, potato cultivation will be included under the Crop Insurance Scheme, allowing growers to receive compensation for eligible crop damage.

The Assam government, State Bank of India, and PepsiCo are also working towards an agreement intended to help growers purchase seed potatoes through Kisan Credit Cards.

“We are also contemplating whether we can extend some additional assistance directly from the government’s side,” Sarma said.

According to the Chief Minister, around 5,000 growers and their families could benefit from supplying the processing operation. He said the number of people employed directly at the factory would be lower.

“While 700 or 500 people may work inside the factory, around 5,000 families will benefit from it,” Sarma said.

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Source: The Plantations International Agroforestry Group of Companies