Gujarat's French Fries Plant Now Processes 5 Tonnes Hourly
Prime Minister Modi inaugurates a state-of-the-art facility in Gujarat, enhancing potato processing capabilities significantly.
The upgraded plant can process five tonnes of French fries every hour.
Banas Dairy's expansion of Rs 51.65 crore aims to boost local potato farming.
India's exports of value-added potato products are on the rise, with nearly 2.77 lakh tonnes shipped in 2025-26.
In a significant development for the food processing industry, Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated a large-scale French fries processing facility located in Sanadar, Gujarat. This state-of-the-art plant, part of a broader initiative for Banas Dairy, is now capable of processing an impressive five tonnes of French fries every hour, marking a substantial upgrade from its previous capacity.
The facility's expansion, which cost Rs 51.65 crore, commenced in April 2026. This upgrade not only enhances production capabilities but also aims to create better market access for local potato growers in Banaskantha. The project is expected to strengthen the supply chain for value-added food products, benefiting farmers in the region.
Banas Dairy has been involved in the French fries market since 2019 under the Amul brand, establishing a comprehensive supply chain that encompasses everything from seed development to final product processing. The cooperative has developed a unique seed-to-fry model, ensuring high-quality potatoes are sourced directly from farmers, while also focusing on sustainable practices such as using organic waste for biogas production.
The growth of potato farming in Banaskantha has been remarkable, with the area dedicated to processing-grade potatoes expanding from 400 hectares to over 61,000 hectares in the last 25 years. In the 2024-25 season, the district produced approximately 1.87 million tonnes of potatoes, reflecting the increasing productivity and importance of this crop in the local economy.
Looking ahead, the expansion of the processing facility aligns with the rising demand for Indian potato products in international markets. In 2025-26, India exported nearly 2.77 lakh tonnes of value-added potato products, valued at around Rs 2,744.50 crore. The enhanced capacity of Banas Dairy's facility is poised to further support local farmers and strengthen India's position in the global potato processing sector.
