Cargill India Opened its First Fish Feed Plant

Towards the Prime Minister`s Mission for doubling the Farmers income by 2022, Apart from farming in the fields, the farmers  in India are also doing fish farming, which is quite lucrative business as the fish is alternate food. The requirement of fish feed was very much there. According to the need of hour, the Cargill India, the wholly owned subsidiary of US-based global corporation has opened its first fish feed plant of the country in Nuzvid at  Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh. Now the Fish farmers in India have increased access to high-quality feed this year, as Cargill has opened its first feed plant dedicated to fish species in the country.

 The plant, located in Vijayawada and acquired from Mulpuri Foods & Feeds, reflects the company’s commitment to bring farmers safe, high-quality aqua feed solutions, according to a press release. It marks an important step in Cargill’s work to develop its aqua feed business in India and across Asia.

The plant produces fish feed products for carp, tilapia, and other warm water species. Cargill currently works with toll millers in the region, selling about 30,000 tonnes of fish feed a year. The new plant, with a capacity of 90,000 tonnes per year, enables Cargill to triple its fish feed capacity for customers in the region.

“India is an important and fast growing aquaculture market, and we are excited to better serve farmers across Andhra Pradesh, Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha,” said Chad Gauger, Managing Director of Cargill aqua nutrition in South Asia. “The new facility positions us to better meet their demand, as the country will soon become the most populous in the world.” Cargill has invested ₹70 crore in the plant, which brings around 200 new jobs to the region.

Cargill Aquaculture Nutrition President Einar Wathne, Cargill Aquaculture Nutrition-South Asia Managing Director Chad Gauger and Cargill India chairman Siraj Chaudhry along with MP Maganti Venkateswara Rao inaugurated the 90,000-tonne per year fish feed producing mill near Morsapudi village of Nuzvid mandal. Cargill acquired the Mulpuri Foods & Feeds and opened the plant towards developing its aqua feed business in India and Asia.

The plant was set up at a cost of ₹70 crore and it provides over 200 employment opportunities for locals. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Einar said, “India presents great opportunities for Cargill and plays an important role in our aqua nutrition growth strategy in Asia. The plant leverages Cargill’s industrial and supply chain capabilities, as well as our innovation expertise to provide customers with the best possible feed solutions.”

Mr. Chad Gauger said that the plant was strategically located in this region of AP considered the capital of farm-raised aquaculture in India.

Chander Mohan

Krishi Jagran