The packaging division of Bosch has launched 'Bosch Mobile Agro Pack' to demonstrate, help and empower farmers to adopt modern packaging solutions for their farm produce. | |
| The company has mounted one of its vertical bagger machine, which can pack the most common solid food items like grains, seeds, rice and spices from 50 gm to 10 kg on a truck. |
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| According to Thomas Buehler, business head for Bosch packaging technology division in India, the mobile agro pack machine will travel to the interior parts of the country over the next few days and create awareness among farmers on the need for modern foodgrain packing technology. Trained personnel will demonstrate and train farmers on the use of the packaging equipment. |
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| With this, the company aims to reach the farmers directly to expand its business across the country. The company till recently was addressing only the needs of the corporate segment. It has so far sold 400 machines, to companies like ITC, Britannia, Tata Chemicals, Kellogg's, Parle, Parry's, Haldiram's, Pepsi, Cadbury among others. |
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| "There is a huge market available for us in the rural market. By addressing the farmers directly we want to improve our sales in the country," Buehler said. |
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| At present, the company holds 30 per cent of the Rs 100 crore market for solid food packaging machines market in the country. It is aiming at a growth of 25-30 per cent during the present fiscal, he said. |
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| He told reporters here on Saturday that the company has joined hands with M S Swaminathan Research Foundation to train farmers on the new technology. It will mainly address farmers' groups, self-help groups, non-government organisations and government officials to spread awareness. |
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| "The introduction of this machine is part of the Bosch group's corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative that will help farmers in their post-harvest management in a better way and improve their earnings," he said. |
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| The company has tied up with seven banks "" Canara Bank, Andhra Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Uco Bank, State Bank of Indore, Syndicate Bank and Indian Bank "" to arrange finance for the purchase of the machine. |
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| "India is primarily an agricultural economy and with the estimated growth and development of the retail grocery industry, there are tremendous opportunities for Indian farmers to improve their livelihood by investing in better processes and technologies. Our new packaging machine will address major concerns of farmers like hygiene, wastage of foodgrains and help them get better prices for their produce," Buehler said. |
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