A tripartite agreement has been signed between Kiremko, HyFun Foods and Rabobank Netherlands to build a potato flake line for HyFun Foods in Mehsana, Gujarat, India.
Haresh Karamchandani, managing director of Asandas and Sons Pvt, who owns the HyFun Foods brand, Paul Oosterlaken, managing director of Kiremko as supplier of potato processing technology, along with Hajo Cijfer, executive director of Rabobank Netherlands for financing the project, signed this promising agreement at Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit – 2024 event at the Dutch country seminar.
According to the parties, this agreement involves more than just building a potato flake line. This agreement will also contribute to sustainable employment opportunities for people in the region which also has a positive environmental impact.
HyFun Foods, who is an exporter of processed vegetables and fruits, introduced recently a new initiative – HyFarm – aimed at agricultural produce procurement and fostering connections with farmers.
HyFarm aims to enlist 30,000 farmers into its network by 2030, with a focus on expanding procurement beyond processing-grade potatoes to include table and chipping varieties. The company sets its sights on a procurement target of one million tonnes by 2028. Furthermore, HyFarm plans to broaden its scope to include a diverse range of fresh fruits and vegetables, thereby creating year-round opportunities for farmers beyond the conventional five-month potato season.
Haresh Karamchandani, managing director and CEO of HyFun Foods, emphasised the collaborative nature of the initiative, stating, “Through HyFarm, we are not only investing in the future of farming but also in the prosperity of rural communities. Fresh produce is the cornerstone of HyFun Foods’ success, and through this initiative, we aim to strengthen our commitment to sourcing high-quality ingredients while empowering farmers and promoting sustainable agriculture.”
