CM Himanta Biswa Sarma says the expansion could benefit up to 5,000 farmers as PepsiCo builds a chip-grade potato ecosystem in the state
Guwahati: Assam could emerge as a major potato-producing hub as PepsiCo India plans to significantly expand its procurement of chip-grade potatoes from the state, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on September 10.
Speaking to India Today, the Chief Minister said PepsiCo would provide farmers with chip-grade potato seeds and an assured market for their produce. He said procurement could rise from around 30,000 metric tonnes to 70,000 tonnes, potentially benefiting about 5,000 farmers.
At the inauguration of PepsiCo’s first manufacturing plant in the Northeast at Banekuchi in Nalbari, CEO Jagrut Kotecha said the company currently expects to source around 7,000 tonnes from Assam this year. The figure is projected to reach 30,000 tonnes in 2027 and 55,000–60,000 tonnes within three to five years.
PepsiCo currently works with around 600 farmers in Assam, with the network expected to expand to 5,000. The company is also developing an ecosystem involving agri-entrepreneurs, local vendors and rural communities.
The Banekuchi plant employs around 700 people, 75% of them women. PepsiCo also plans an 80,000-tonne potato cold-storage facility and is expanding its Pragati programme, with 2,200 agri-entrepreneurs planned for Assam.
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