Spice processing plant by ITC Ltd

Palnadu district Indian Multi-business conglomerate ITC Limited on Friday launched a modern global spice processing plant set up with an investment of Rs.200 crore at Edlapadu village near here.

The internationally-benchmarked plant was declared open by Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. ITC Limited Chairman Sanjiv Puri and other dignitaries were present. In his address, the Chief Minister expressed satisfaction over the establishment of the facility to help the farmers and asked the project proponent to communicate the significance of the processing plant to the farmers effectively to boost exports.

Once fully commissioned, it will become the largest spice processing plant in Asia, he said. The Chief Minister said the company will provide jobs to 1500 and benefit 14,000 farmers in the region. He complimented the management for making the first phase completion and operational within two years due to Ease of Doing Business in the State.

The state-of-the-art facility will have process lines for turmeric, chilli and blended spices with an annual capacity of 20,400 MT of spices. It will have the capability to produce over 15 organic spices and is expected to boost ITC's food exports globally. The target global markets are Europe, the US, Canada, Australia and China.

The world-class 'Make in India' plant will cater to all processing needs including storage, cleaning, processing, sterilization, packing, quality testing, leading to an end-to-end custody of quality assurance. The unit wil anchor a sustainable spices value chain so as to extend support to farmers through a robust crop development programme ensuring traceability.

Over 5,500 farmer families and 2,200 plus livelihoods will be supported across the value chain. The facility will be powered by high-tech energy efficient equipment and will have rooftop solar panels to ensure clean energy consumption. A majority of the workforce at the unit will include women, the company stated.

Commenting on the launch of the facility in Andhra Pradesh, Sanjiv Puri said "In line with our commitment to strengthen our footprint across the three sectors of the State's economy- agriculture, manufacturing and services, we have invested in setting up a world-class export-oriented spices facility in Palnadu district that will offer the finest quality of spices to the world conforming to global food safety export norms, whilst anchoring local agri-value chains."

He said "we are indeed delighted that the unit will also be a flag-bearer of sustainability and inclusion owing to its 360 degree initiatives that will support enhanced farmer incomes, foster women empowerment, support large-scale livelihoods as well as promote extensive use of renewable energy. Aligned to the Chief Minister's vision of achieving rapid socio-economic transformation, we have undertaken multi-dimensional initiatives in Andhra Pradesh including a partnership with the Department of Horticulture to transform the State into a global cluster for chill sourcing, besides expanding our footprint of manufacturing and hospitality assets as well as our large- scale social investment programmes."

ITC, which has a century-old association with Andhra Pradesh, has been expanding its presence across the three key sectors of agriculture, manufacturing, and services.

The company's extensive agri-business presence in the State spans a range of sustainable value chains encompassing spices, rice, aqua, fruits, pulpwood, among others.

ITC's manufacturing footprint in Andhra Pradesh has been strengthened over the years with over 18 units, including its own facilities and those where the company has promoted local entrepreneurship. ITC has also set up a 5-star property, Welcomhotel Palnadu district with a rich repertoire of world-class hospitality offerings. This flagship hotel is the first LEED Platinum certified hotel in Andhra Pradesh and is amongst the first eight hotels in the world to be LEED zero carbon certified, the company said.