PepsiCo agrees to set up Indian plant to promote new potato chip varietal
PepsiCo has agreed to build a potato processing plant in the city of Koraput, in the eastern Indian state of Odisha.
According to Bijay Ketan Upadhyaya, director of Horticulture, the government has started producing the potato varietal named ‘Chipsona’ on experimental basis since the Kharif season.
It has currently planted the potato over 800 hectares in the Koraput district, he said.
The key feature of the varietal is that it will be produced in Kharif season instead of Rabi season.
Kharif vs Rabi
Kharif crops are usually sown at the beginning of the Monsoon season, between May and July, and harvested at the beginning of autumn, in October-November.
In contrast, Rabi crops are cultivated during the dry season.
Future plans
Upadhyaya said that, if the new potato proves to be a success in Koraput, further plantations would be undertaken in other tribal districts, including Kandhamal and Mayurbhanj.
PepsiCo said it will make its plans clear after reviewing the harvesting of Chipsona.
Indian sweets and snacks manufacturer Haldiram, has also announced its intention to promote the new varietal if it proves to be successful, said Upadhyaya.
