Pepsi plans 20,000 acre fruit orchard in Punjab

Pepsico is developing a 20,000 acre citrus fruit orchard near Punjab through its Indian arm Pepsico India Holdings.

"We are currently working with the state government on a project wherein we will set up an orchard near Jalandhar in Punjab," Abhiram Seth, external affairs director of Pepsico India, said.

"Pepsi will implement Phase-I of the project in Punjab, and will set up the orchard on about 20,000 acre of land," Seth said adding that 32 different varieties of citrus fruits like orange and lemon would be planted.

Drip irrigations systems and modern agricultural practices would be employed in the orchard. "The company is looking to plant about four million trees per year," he said.

Most juices, including orange juice, is currently imported to cater to the company's requirements, he added. Pepsi sells fruit juices under the brand name Tropicana.