Leading food and beverage maker PepsiCo India opened its first food factory in Assam, set up with an investment of Rs 778 crore in Nalbari district.
Inaugurated by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the unit is spread across 44.2 acres and has created 700 direct and indirect employment opportunities.
“The inauguration of PepsiCo India’s food manufacturing facility in Nalbari is another important milestone in Assam’s industrial growth story. This investment underscores the confidence that leading global companies have in Assam’s business-friendly policies, infrastructure development and skilled workforce,” Sarma said.
“Beyond generating employment and economic activity, the project will strengthen the state’s agricultural ecosystem and create new opportunities for farmers, women and local enterprises. We welcome PepsiCo India’s continued partnership and commitment towards contributing to Assam’s development journey,” he added.
For the Nalbari facility, PepsiCo India will procure chip-grade potatoes, benefiting more than 5,000 farmers, and create demand for around 60,000 tonnes of cold storage capacity.
“PepsiCo India currently works with over 600 farmers in Assam and continues to expand its farming footprint through support in seeds, agronomy, technology, training and market access,” the release said.
“The inauguration of our Nalbari facility marks a significant milestone in PepsiCo India’s growth journey and reinforces our long-term commitment to India’s development story. Assam’s strong agricultural foundation, evolving infrastructure and growing economic importance make it a natural choice for our next phase of expansion,” Jagrut Kotecha, chief executive officer, PepsiCo India & South Asia, said.
He added, “Through this investment, we are strengthening our manufacturing footprint while creating a positive ripple effect across the value chain, from farmers and local businesses to women, young talent and communities. We are grateful to the Government of Assam for its partnership, enabling this landmark milestone.”
The facility has created around 700 direct and indirect employment opportunities while generating prospects across MSMEs, logistics, warehousing, packaging and ancillary industries. As part of its commitment to inclusion, PepsiCo India aims to build a workforce with over 75 per cent women representation.
PTI
