US-based agricultural and food company Cargill has opened a $100m modern wet corn milling facility in Devagere in Karnataka state of India.
The corn facility is spread over a sprawling 44.5 acres of land with a daily milling capacity of 800 tonnes of corn. The milling facility will process corn to produce glucose and other derivatives which can be used as thickeners, sweeteners, and for other applications in food and healthcare industries.
The output from the new facility will be mainly used for the local market, while also serving South East Asian and African markets.
The newly constructed plant has been built using state-of-the-art water management technology which will have zero waste water discharge by treating and recycling waste water in the factory premises itself, thereby setting an example for environmental sustainability.
The plant is intended to help farmers with increased incomes, improved efficiencies, and enhanced livelihoods. The facility will also help the local people working at the plant.
Through its endeavour to help local communities, Cargill aims to enhance livelihood of 5000 farmers and their families in 23 villages in Harihara block of Davangere District.
The company aims to empower the wider community with farmer training, local school enhancements, economic empowerment opportunities created for the women of the farming households and community engagement through targeted interventions in local schools and anganwadis.
Cargill chairman and CEO David MacLennan said: "At Cargill, we are committed to help our customers and communities we operate in thrive. Cargill's commitment towards successful establishment of our business in India without compromising on ecological balance, employee safety and customer delivery are top priorities for us."
At the inauguration, the Karnataka state chief minister Shri Siddaramaiah said: "We are pleased to welcome Cargill in the development and growth of Karnataka. I am confident that the new facility in Davangere will catapult the progress of the district and benefit the local communities as they will have access to new job opportunities and farmers will get world-class training and a new market for their crops."
