?Coca Cola plans to use orange pulp in its products

Coca Cola, an American carbonated soft-drink company, which has planned to manufacture its products using orange pulp in two of its plants in India. It would also promote NOGA (Nagpur Orange Grower Association) brand, a subsidiary of Maharashtra government, which is well-known in Vidarbha region.

The Maharashtra government inked a tripartite pact with Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Private Limited, the largest bottling partner of the soft drink major, and Jain Irrigation Company, during its 'Make in India' event in Mumbai in February. It proposed setting up 'Oranges Unnati Project' on 100 acres on public-private partnership. The Butibori plant would manufacture juices, with a mixture of Vidarbha oranges and Marathwada's sweet lime.

According to minister of state for industries, mining and environment Pravin Pote-Patil, "A number of employment opportunities would be generated, once the plant starts functioning, in a couple of years. They have started its set up. Importantly, the oranges would be in demand and its growers would be ultimately benefited."

Orange could be used not only in beverages, but also for producing jam, sauce and even wine, the source said.

Sources close to his ministry said the company would help farmers to cultivate and increase the yield with the help of new scientific techniques like ultra high density plantation. They said growers would also be provided classroom training and demonstrations.

Sources said the oranges would see more demand once the soft drink giant starts using it in products. Every year, the growers face huge losses on account of poor demand for oranges, forcing many of them to switch to other crops.