Yogi Adityanath said he formed a committee to help sort out the problems of potato growers. (File)
Kosi Kalan-based PepsiCo plant would become a source for the progress of farmers as well as create employment opportunities, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mr Yogi Adityanath said on Wednesday.
"The plant would make the farmers self-reliant as it would process 1.5 lakh tonnes of potatoes," Mr Adityanath said while virtually inaugurating the largest unit of PepsiCo in Kosi Kalan.
He said that considering the plight of potato growers, he had formed a committee four years ago, to find out the ways for sorting out the problems of potato growers.
The committee was directed to find out the ways for easy sale of potatos at a price suitable to farmers, Mr Adityanath said.
The chief minister expressed his pleasure as the plant would now enable the farmers to grow and become self-reliant.
The produce of the plant would go to all parts of the country and abroad as Prasadam of Brijbhumi, the chief minister said.
Mr Adityanath attributed the plant turning functional in record time to efforts by Uttar Pradesh Industry Minister Mr Satish Mahana and Uttar Pradesh Minister for Dairying, Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Ms Laxmi Narain Chaudhary.
The chief minister directed officials to ensure that the incentive the plant is entitled for is transferred to it.
According to the chief minister, Uttar Pradesh is not only the highest cereal-producing state of the country but has a conducive environment for investment.
In the eight districts of Agra and Aligarh divisions, if provided timely seed and training, potato farmers will not only be benefited but it virtually would bring a shot in the arm to this unit, the chief minister said.
Due to a positive approach, an investment deal of Rs 1,250 crore in defence could be signed in Aligarh on Tuesday, while a plant with an investment of Rs 800 crore could come up at Kosi Kalan in Mathura, the chief minister stated.
Mr Mahana complimented authorities of PepsiCo for setting up the plant in a record time of 18 months against the stipulated time of two years.
The state could overcome the teething trouble coming on the way of the plant, owing to the directions of the chief minister and intervention of Ms Chaudhary.
With the establishment of the plant, the long-awaited demand of the area for increasing the income of the farmers and creating employment opportunities could be materialised now, Ms Chaudhary said.
It could provide direct employment to 1,500 persons and indirect employment to thousands.
PepsiCo CEO (Africa, Middle East, South Asia) Mr Engene Willemsen said the partnership cannot be termed complete without an association of Uttar Pradesh that covers one-sixth of the country.
It would pave the way for socioeconomic development, he said.