Walmart launches food processing unit in Anantapur

Ananthapur: Walmart Foundation and International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) launched a Secondary Processing Unit (SPU) at Muddalapuram village in Anantapur district on Wednesday.

The SPU will benefit over 6,000 small farm-holding families in Anantapur district. The unit is spread over 1,000 square metres and is operated by women-led Rythu Nestham Food Producer Company Ltd (RNFPCL). RNFPCL has five processing lines that will produce highly nutritious millet and pulse-based ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat formulations, such as traditional khichdi and upma mixes, high oleic groundnut products like chikkis, cookies, snacks and savouries, apart from healthy cold pressed groundnut oil.

Launching the SPU, agriculture minister Kakani Govardhan Reddy said YSRC government is keen on making agriculture more viable and profitable for farming communities, such as development of community-managed sustainable farming initiatives. He appreciated Walmart Foundation, Flipkart, ICRISAT and AFEC for launching the SPU.

Speaking on the occasion, collector Nagalakshmi said the entire infrastructure of the unit will ensure improved livelihoods and better opportunities for small farmers. She offered full support of district administration to the promoting companies.

Walmart Foundation’s vice president Julie Gehrki said they are constantly on the lookout to empower communities. Walmart Foundation’s grant to ICRISAT aims to strengthen and diversify services of farmer producer organisations (FPOs), so that they deliver benefits to their members.