ITC Ltd will manufacture and market dehydrated vegetables and Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) products including noodles and biscuits from upcoming facility at Sehore with most raw materials sourced from within the state. The Indian multinational conglomerate engaged into production of cigarettes to garments, has proposed investment Rs 651 crore for setting up an integrated consumer manufacturing facility and logistics at Industrial area Badiyakhedi in Sehore district. As per proposal submitted to government, the company has proposed to manufacture variety of dehydrated vegetables, snacks and savouries, noodles, biscuits and flour. A senior official of horticulture department on condition of anonymity said, “The company is planning to produce varieties of items including dehydrated vegetables to FMCG products as the region is rich in agricultural produce and has advantage of central location that makes inward and outward supplies very economic and smooth.” State government has allotted leasehold land parcel of about 56.74 hectare and the commercial production for phase one is expected to commence March 2023. The company has anticipated starting balance production lines over a period of time up to March 2026, the document submitted by the company showed. Looking at rich availability of vegetables in the region, ITC has proposed to manufacture variety of dehydrated products such as kibbled, chopped and powdered onion, garlic cloves, chopped garlic, granulated and powdered, carrot flakes, powder and cabbage flakes among others. The per month production capacity of upcoming facility is estimated at about 6,000 tonne flour, dehydrated vegetables 375 tonne, snacks and savories 1,025 tonne, noodles 650 tonne and biscuits 1,000 tonne. Earlier in October, Chitranjan Dar, group head of environment, health and safety, projects and R&D at ITC Ltd had said that as Madhya Pradesh has the advantages of rich agricultural resources, most raw materials will be sourced from within the state and labour requirements will be met through adjoining villages. The company has proposed to employ about 1,000 people through direct and indirect employment.
Source: Times of India
