Varanasi: A state-of-the-art jaggery-based food product manufacturing plant set up by Power Crops Food and Agri Pvt Ltd has become commercially operational at Gosandepur village in Karanda block of Ghazipur district under the GBC-4 initiative through Invest UP.Established with an investment of Rs 15 crore, the project has received technical collaboration and foreign direct investment from Japan’s Nippon Pharmaceutical Co Ltd, emerging as a significant example of India-Japan industrial cooperation. Officials said the project reflected the growing confidence of domestic and foreign investors in Uttar Pradesh due to improved law and order and industry-friendly policies under the Yogi govt. Company chairman Shyam Lal Singh said the state govt’s transparent procedures, administrative support and investor-friendly environment helped the company execute the project quickly.DM Anupam Shukla said improved connectivity, better industrial infrastructure and reliable power supply in Purvanchal had accelerated industrial growth in the region. He added that the plant would soon receive an industrial connection from a 33 KVA feeder and plans were also underway to establish a 33/11 KV substation near the unit to ensure uninterrupted power supply and boost production capacity.Ghazipur region was chosen strategically because of its traditional association with sugarcane cultivation. The plant, with a production capacity of around 50 metric tonnes per day, is expected to significantly increase local demand for sugarcane and provide farmers with a stronger market. Officials said efforts had also begun to revive sugarcane cultivation within a 50-km of the plant.The project has already generated employment for more than 200 people directly, while over 2,000 indirect jobs have been created in transport, packaging and supply chain activities, giving a boost to local trade and services.Using Japanese technology, the plant manufactures jaggery-based powder, cubes and health snacks under the “Power27 Super Jaggery” brand. Products are available in flavours including chocolate, cardamom, fennel and moringa and are being promoted as healthier alternatives to refined sugar. Company officials said the products were already being exported to Japan, Thailand and Gulf countries, while future plans included pesticide-free sugarcane processing and manufacturing products directly from sugarcane juice.Calling the project a milestone for Purvanchal’s industrial growth, the DM said the factory would help revive sugarcane farming in Ghazipur and reduce migration by generating local employment opportunities.
