Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma showcased a transformative ₹778 crore investment with the inauguration of PepsiCo’s modern food manufacturing plant in Nalbari, linking Assam’s agricultural sector directly to global brands like Lay’s while benefiting over 5,000 local potato farmers. The state-of-the-art 44.2-acre facility aims to turn Assam into a major food processing hub for Northeast India, driving industrial growth and local employment through contract farming and advanced cold storage infrastructure. A Historic Milestone for Assam's Industrial LandscapeThe inauguration of PepsiCo India’s fifth food manufacturing plant at Banekuchi in Nalbari district marks a pivotal moment in Assam's economic trajectory. Spanning 44.2 acres, the facility was commissioned in under three years following the laying of its foundation stone—a speed Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma highlighted as proof of the state's modern, investor-friendly ecosystem. The ₹778 crore plant produces popular snack brands like Lay’s and Uncle Chipps, supplying markets across Northeast India and West Bengal. However, the strategic core of the project extends far beyond manufacturing: it builds a direct bridge between multinational agro-processing and Assam's agrarian community. Revolutionizing Local Potato Farming & Supply ChainsHistorically, local farmers in Assam grew standard table-purpose potatoes, which lack the dry matter content and low sugar levels required for commercial snack production. Under the new investment framework, PepsiCo and the Assam government are introducing specialized chip-grade potato varieties tailored to the region's soil and climatic conditions.Key Impact Metrics of the ₹778 Crore ProjectCategoryDetails & Operational TargetsTotal Investment₹778 Crore (PepsiCo India's 1st food plant in Assam)Facility Size & Location44.2 Acres in Banekuchi, Nalbari DistrictDirect & Indirect JobsApproximately 700 workforce opportunitiesAgrarian ReachOver 5,000 local farmers integrated into contract farmingCold Storage Demand~60,000 tonnes capacity created across regional supply chainsWorkforce InclusivityTarget of 75%+ female representation across plant operationsThrough structured contract farming and buyback guarantees, local growers gain access to high-yielding seeds, technical guidance, and fixed market pricing, shielding them from market volatility. The plant’s demand for processing-grade potatoes is expected to stimulate an additional 60,000 tonnes of cold storage capacity across the state, encouraging further agricultural infrastructure investments. Economic Diversification and Job CreationBeyond direct agricultural outreach, the facility addresses two major social and economic imperatives highlighted by CM Himanta Biswa Sarma: local job generation and gender empowerment.The plant provides roughly 700 direct and indirect jobs while generating secondary opportunities across local logistics, packaging, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Notably, PepsiCo has committed to a target of over 75% female representation within its workforce, setting a precedent for industrial gender inclusion in the region. Speaking at the inauguration, Chief Minister Sarma pointed out that expanding the industrial footprint in Assam is critical to stemming brain drain and migrant labor outbound movement. By providing sustainable, high-skilled manufacturing and agricultural employment locally, the state aims to keep young talent within Assam. Assam's Strategic Shift to a Manufacturing PowerhouseThe inauguration forms part of a broader industrial pipeline entering Assam. State initiatives—including streamlined single-window clearances, dedicated land banks, and robust road infrastructure—have secured around ₹3 lakh crore in total industrial commitments spanning energy, semiconductor assembly, mining, and food processing. By translating agricultural land into a reliable supplier for global consumer brands like Lay’s, Assam is positioning itself as the primary industrial gateway to India's Northeast and neighboring South Asian markets.What to Watch NextFarm Yield Scalability: The speed at which local farmers adopt chip-grade potato varieties to meet the factory's raw material capacity. Cold Storage Infrastructure: Government and private sector investment into 60,000 tonnes of temperature-controlled storage. Regional Export Expansion: Supply chain deployment targeting distribution networks across neighboring Northeastern states and international borders.Also Read :- MP Govt Launches Employee Welfare Measures for Education Department Staff
