Cargill inaugurates USD 100-mn corn milling plant in K'taka

Agri-food major Cargill today inaugurated its wet corn milling plant in Karnataka set up with an investment of USD 100 million.
The plant, located at Davangere, was inaugurated by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Cargill's Chairman and CEO David MacLennan and Cargill India Chairman Siraj Chaudhry were also present on the occasion.
Cargill India, which has an annual turnover of about Rs 9,000 crore and a part of US-based agri-food giant Cargill, said the plant has been established with USD 100 million investments. The facility is spread over 44.5 acre and has a capacity to mill 800 tonnes of corn daily.

At the mill, corn will be processed to produce glucose and other derivatives which can be used as thickeners, sweeteners and for other purposes in the food and healthcare industry.
While the output from the new mill will be largely used for the local market, it will also cater to company's customers in South East Asian and African markets, Cargill India said in a statement.
Cargill said the local people would be working at the plant. Farmers would also benefit from the new local demand thereby reducing inefficiencies, increasing incomes and improving their livelihood in the process.

Siddaramaiah said: "We are pleased to welcome Cargill in the development and growth of Karnataka."

He expressed confidence that the new facility in Davangere will catapult the progress of the district and benefit the local communities.
"At Cargill, we are committed to help our customers and communities we operate in thrive. Cargill's commitment towards successful establishment of our business in India without compromising on ecological balance, employee safety and customer delivery are top priorities for us," MacLennan said.
Cargill has been present in Karnataka since 1983 and has set up four manufacturing facilities in the state contributing to the development of the agriculture and the food industries.
The company sells edible oils and vansapati under different brands -- Nature Fresh, Sweekar, Gemini, Rath and Sunflower Vanaspati. It is also present in food ingredients, grain and oilseeds, sugar, cotton and animal feed.