In a significant move, global food and beverage giant PepsiCo has unveiled plans to invest INR 778 crore in establishing its maiden food manufacturing facility in Nalbari, Assam. The expansive plant, spanning 44.2 acres, is slated to commence operations by 2025, promising to create both direct and indirect employment opportunities for approximately 500 individuals from the region, as per an official statement from PepsiCo.
This marks PepsiCo’s inaugural foray into the North Eastern region, known for its portfolio of renowned beverage and food brands, including Pepsi, 7UP, Mountain Dew, Slice, Tropicana, Mirinda, Lay’s, Kurkure, Uncle Chips, and Quaker Oats.
As part of its commitment to the local community, PepsiCo India has entered into a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Assam Skill Development Mission and the Directorate of Employment & Craftsman Training. The collaboration aims to promote women’s empowerment and establish a safe and supportive work environment to enhance women’s employability in the region.
The plant has set ambitious targets, including a goal to recruit a diverse workforce with at least 75 percent representation of women. Additionally, PepsiCo intends to establish its inaugural Community Learning Centre at the Women’s ITI campus in Nalbari, dedicated to upskilling women over the next two years.
The Nalbari Greenfield facility is expected to significantly bolster PepsiCo’s efforts to improve the livelihoods of over 5,000 local farmers in the coming years. It will offer farmers opportunities for growth through the utilization of advanced technology, high-quality seeds, and cost-effective machinery. The ultimate aim is to procure 50,000 tonnes of potatoes from the state to produce its iconic Lay’s chips brand.
Furthermore, the plant’s operations will generate demand for cold storage capacity, estimated at 60,000 tonnes in the coming years.
Eugene Willemsen, CEO, Africa, Middle East & South Asia at PepsiCo, expressed the company’s dedication to investing in India to build capacity, emphasizing that the Assam plant aligns with PepsiCo’s long-term vision and commitment to fostering equitable and sustainable ecosystems for economic growth in the nation.
Ahmed ElSheikh, President of PepsiCo India, highlighted the investment in Assam as a significant milestone in alignment with the government of India’s Self-Reliant India vision (Atmanirbhar vision). He emphasized the creation of employment opportunities and the empowerment of the farming community as key objectives in supporting the government’s drive for self-sufficiency in potato production.