Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma focuses on assured credit for potato farmers, expansion plans and deeper industry–farm linkages
Davos: Assam’s efforts to strengthen its agricultural economy through global partnerships received fresh momentum at the World Economic Forum. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma engaged in dialogue with the senior officials of PepsiCo over increasing collaboration in the state’s agri-industry sector.
In a post on X, the Chief Minister stated that he held discussions with Eugene Willemsen, CEO (International Beverages) of PepsiCo., and Caroline Berson, Vice President, Government Relations, where the discussion centered on institutional support to Assam’s farming community and expansion plans in Assam. He wrote, “I conveyed our plan to ensure assured institutional credit to our potato farmers through an exclusive tripartite agreement between SBI, Pepsi and the Govt of Assam.”
The proposed arrangement is intended to guarantee access to formal credit for potato growers, helping to curb reliance on money lenders and bolstering existing ties with the food processing sector. Such an arrangement is also seen to help the growers to enlarge their scale of production, improve the quality of their produce, and secure predictable income streams.
The meeting also looked into the progress of PepsiCo’s Nalbari plant, a key agro-processing hub in Assam, and ways in which the company could engage with the farming community of Assam more effectively. The Chief Minister further said that during the conference, suggestions were made regarding the future expansion plan of PepsiCo in Assam and how it could engage with Assam’s farming community.
The interaction reflects Assam’s broader strategy of attracting global companies while ensuring that investments translate into direct benefits for rural communities. By aligning industry growth with farmer support and institutional finances, the state government aims to create a more resilient and inclusive agricultural economy.
The engagement at WEF showcases Assam’s increasing footprint on the global arena and its pursuit to position itself as a preferred destination for agri-based activities linked to sustainable livelihoods.
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