A battle being fought between biggies like Pepsico, Reliance Retail and ITC one that could decide who makes the crisper chip.
For the past seven years contract farming has ensured Pepsico to source 40 per cent of its need from Western Maharashtra, potatoes that go into the making of seven Pepsico brands including Lays.
Pepsico currently pays Rs 7 per kg, a minimum price agreed upon when the company signed contracts with the farmers. A price that the company would pay irrespective of the quality or the quantity of the produce.
Pepsico currently pays Rs 7 per kg, a minimum price agreed upon when the company signed contracts with the farmers. A price that the company would pay irrespective of the quality or the quantity of the produce.
But now sensing an increased interest in their produce farmers want Rs 10 per kg and are threatening to break their contract and sell it to the highest bidder.
"Reliance, ITC are all knocking at the doors of potato farmers, let them all come, we are talking to all companies to make sure that farmers get the best deal,"said Shivajirao Adalrao Patil, MP and Farmers' Leader.
"We will not give any potato to Pepsico this year, unless they give us good returns else we will break the contract and sell our potatoes in open market,"said Farmer Jaising Erande
