Indian conglomerate ITC has announced a significant investment of Rs 1,500 crore in Madhya Pradesh for the establishment of an integrated food manufacturing and logistics facility, along with a sustainable packaging products manufacturing facility in Sehore. The company has revealed that these two projects will cover approximately 57 acres and are expected to provide a substantial boost to the agricultural and manufacturing sectors within the state.

"The two projects, when complete, would entail a total investment outlay of Rs 1,500 crores which will support livelihoods across sustainable value chains," it said.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, while announcing the projects said, “Today, Bhumi Pujan has been done for two factories in Badiyakhedi. An investment of about Rs 1,500 crores is going to happen here, due to which our 5 thousand children will get employment.” Badiyakhedi is in Sehore district.

“One of the things that have been running in my mind is that everything that we are producing should enable our farmers to earn the rightful price here itself, and the other thing is that our children should get employment here. There are limitations to farming…our children should get permanent jobs, which is why there should be avenues other than farming. The Madhya Pradesh government is trying its best to bring in investments,” he said at the foundation laying event.

ITC's food plant will produce items for the Aashirvaad atta brand, Sunfeast biscuits, and YiPPee noodles. Meanwhile, the moulded fibre products facility aims to lead the way in sustainable packaging, playing a pivotal role in replacing plastics in various sectors, including the electronic item packaging, FMCG, and the food and beverage industry.

The company stated that the facility at Sehore is poised to add value to the state’s manufacturing sector and support inclusive agri-value chains. "ITC believes that the food processing sector, being at the intersection of agriculture, industry and services, can make a multi-dimensional contribution to the state's economy by enhancing the competitiveness of the food value chain," it said.

ITC Chairman Sanjiv Puri said, “In line with our commitment to contribute to the socio-economic development of the state, we are now investing in two world-class facilities including the Integrated Food Manufacturing and Logistics Facility and the Sustainable Packaging Products Manufacturing Facility at Sehore. This state-of-art facility will also be a landmark in sustainability with the unit being designed to IGBC green building Platinum standards," he said.

ITC has a substantial presence in the state, housing co-manufacturing units for both food and agarbattis.

Image source: PTI