Guwahati: Pranab Mohanta, who belongs to an agriculturalist’s family and a science graduate from the Guwahati University, has raised hope among youngsters of Assam by setting up the food processing plant ‘RITTY’ in the Boko area of the state’s Kamrup district.

Amidst the persistent political tensions in Assam, the youngsters in the state who had almost given up on their effort to earn a decent living has got a hope. Mohanta revamped the image of agriculture in the state as a rewarding profession good enough to provide financial security for all.

The launch of this food processing plant changed the lives of people in this area. The plant ‘RITTY’ is named after his daughter, which has been able to provide employment to the youngsters of the district, who once considered farming as not so ‘dignified’ a profession to pursue.

The company started in the year 2006 with the human resource of 10 employees, which has now increased its employee strength to around 125.

‘RITTY’ was started to provide a direction to the extensive farming activity in Pranab’s and his friends’ farms. In the beginning, the plant was set up through a bank loan from Small Industries Development Bank of India. North East Development and Financial Institute, which is known for its production of oranges, pineapples, bananas and vegetables, has now taken up this.

Pranab said, “We had extensive farming of fruits and vegetables like ginger, orange, pineapple, cashew nuts, and we wanted to convert them into final products in Boko itself.”

The farmers, who had to hunt for markets were not able to process the fruits and vegetables in the district itself. RIITY manufacturers canned and bottled fruits and vegetable products. The company has semi-automatic machines processing up to 6 to 10 tonnes of fruits and vegetables on a daily basis.

It also includes processing of canning and bottling of mixed fruit jam, pineapple organic cubes and bottling of sauces, synthetic vinegar, tomato ketchup, orange squash, pineapple jams and pickles.

The products are exported through distributors and exporting houses to countries like Germany, Kuwait and South Africa. Pranab added, “We also have companies Dabur and Golden Crown picking up our products.” In last December, RITTY managed to launch its own brand, which was named ‘Relish’. The company started with a turnover of around Rs 30 lakh and is expecting a major leap with the launch of Relish.

At present, Pranab’s only concern is fund raising. However, he has seen bigger dreams for RITTY and wants to expand his business. He said, “The MOFPI’s (Ministry of Food Processing Industries) subsidy which was promised has not yet come.”