CM inaugurates Rs 150-crore world class animal feed manufacturing plant at Rajpura, built by Netherlands-based global giant De Heus
Accepts invitation to visit Netherlands at the head of a delegation of progressive farmers from Punjab to study best farm practices
Says, despite the death and destruction caused by the recent floods, Punjab is estimated to still contribute 180 lakh metric tonnes (MT) of rice and 125 lakh MT of wheat to the national foodgrains pool
Vows to make Punjab the next industrial hub of the country
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has called for adopting modern methods of farming in the state to keep it sustainable and profitable. Citing the example set by the Netherlands, he said at the earliest possible he will lead a delegation of progressive farmers to the European country, which is the second largest exporter of food products in the world, to learn from its best farm practices.
He was addressing a large gathering after formally inaugurating a Rs 150 crore world class animal feed plant at Rajpura, built by De Heus Amimal Nutrition India, a wholly owned subsidiary of the world’s leading animal feed manufacturing company Royal De Heus of the Netherlands, in the presence of the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to India, Nepal and Bhutan Marisa Gerards. The global and India leadership of De Heus group was also present.
Highlighting several similarities between the Netherlands as a country and Punjab state, he said both have nearly the same area, both have a rich culture of well bonded joint families, and both are agriculture dominated. But he said the small European country, famous for its cheese and other agricultural products, was a also a powerhouse of technology and innovation, and Punjab could learn a lot from it.
Therefore, he announced the acceptance of an invitation extended to him to visit the Netherlands, which he promised he will undertake with progressive farmers at the earliest available time.
Appreciating the pace at which the company had been successful in raising the factory and other infrastructure, exactly two years after he performed its ground-breaking ceremony in October 2023, he expressed confidence that this factory will act as a catalyst for rapid industrialisation of Punjab. Lots and lots of companies are coming to Punjab, and the state will emerge as the next industrial hub of the country, he asserted.
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Besides providing employment to the young men and women of Punjab, and revenue to the government, the factory, which will market its high-quality animal feed far and wide, will also benefit small suppliers, channel partners, logistics businesses, etc, he noted.
Commenting on the devastating floods which caused massive loss of life, crops, farmland, infrastructure, etc, he reiterated his government’s strong commitment to help all affected return to normal life. “Punjab has fallen several times in the past, but it has also bounced back several times. So, hand in hand we will rebuild our lives together,” he added.
Striking a note of optimism, he said people will be surprised to know that despite the death and destruction caused by the recent floods, Punjab is estimated to still contribute 180 lakh metric tonnes (MT) of rice and 125 lakh MT of wheat to the national foodgrains pool.
Recollecting the Netherlands as a powerhouse of sports especially in field hockey and soccer, the chief minister said Punjab likewise has had a strong history of excelling in sports and continues to dominate. He reminded the gathering that out of the playing 11 in the Indian national men’s field hockey team nine members were from Punjab. It is also a matter of pride for the state that the current captains of the Indian field hockey team, women’s cricket team and men’s soccer team are from Punjab, he added.
Addressing the gathering, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to India, Nepal and Bhutan Marisa Gerards said in many ways the story of her country’s resilience and prosperity is quite similar to that of Punjab, rising from death and destruction of war and the vagaries of nature like floods and famine in the spirit of ‘chardi kalan’.
In his heart-to-heart words to the livestock farmers, suppliers and channel partners, Co De Heus, Chairman Board of Royal De Heus, while promising a consistent supply of high-quality animal feed products from the company, assured customers that going beyond mere sale of products De Heus will look to strike lasting relationships with all stakeholders.
Expressing solidarity with the people who had lost near and dear ones, crops, farmland and livestock in the devastating floods, he said the company experts will reach out to the livestock owners with their knowledge and expertise to help them care for their surviving livestock.
The new factory has an installed capacity of 1.8 lakh metric tons (MT) of animal feed, expandable to 2.4 lakh MT. It features two dedicated production lines – one for cattle and buffalo feed, and another for poultry and pig feed.
Equipped with state-of-the-art European technology and automated processes, the plant will manufacture a comprehensive range of products including compound feed, premixes, concentrates and speciality feeds.
According to the senior company officials, De Heus’ animal feed products come complete with nutrition essential for the growth and production of animals, supporting their optimal development. This helps keep the animals healthy with improved reproductive cycles and consistent production, enabling the farmers to increase farm incomes and profitability.
The Rajpura facility is expected to generate over 300 direct jobs and create opportunities for hundreds of local suppliers and channel partners. With raw materials sourced domestically, the factory will also stimulate regional agri-businesses.
The plant will cater to markets across Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Western Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, and parts of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.
From the company side among others present at the inauguration were Rolinda De Heus, MD, PhD; Johan van der Ban, CEO Asia; Arno Willemink, Group COO; Rutger Oudejans, MD India; Tanveer Malik, COO India; and Amit Mittan, Commercial Director India.
