PepsiCo agrees to withdraw lawsuit against potato farmers in Gujarat

Government assures long term resolution over seed protection, company says after popular backlash.

PepsiCo India Holdings Ltd. (PIH) said on Thursday it will withdraw cases against potato growers in Gujarat after discussions with the government. The company had sued potato farmers in Gujarat for allegedly buying seeds and selling potatoes of the FL 2027 variety registered by PepsiCo. The said variety is used by PepsiCo for making 'Lays' chips.

The company said that it had held discussions with the government in which it was assured of "long-term" and "amicable resolution" of all issues around seed protection by the government. "The company remains deeply committed to the thousands of farmers we work with across the