PRAN-RFL Group, a pioneering force in Bangladesh's agro-processing industry, has announced plans to establish another industrial park in Natore. The new industrial park will house noodles, spices, mustard oil, and fish processing plants, with the aim of generating employment opportunities for approximately 1,000 people in the region.
Currently, PRAN engages around 13,000 contract farmers in Natore who produce various crops such as mango, tomato, pulses, peanut, chilies, and milk for the company. Looking ahead, PRAN intends to expand its contract farming operations to include additional products like chinigura rice, turmeric, and cassava, thereby involving an additional 5,000 contract farmers from the district.
Kamruzzaman Kamal, Marketing Director at PRAN-RFL Group, shared these plans during an interaction with local journalists commemorating the twenty-fourth anniversary of PRAN Agro Limited's factory in Natore. Established in 2000, PRAN's presence in Natore has significantly impacted the socio-economic landscape of the region over the past two and a half decades.
PRAN-RFL Group has invested approximately Taka 1,500 crore in Natore to date, directly and indirectly providing livelihoods to about 22,000 individuals through various activities including production, seasonal work, and product supply.
Products manufactured at PRAN Agro Limited's factory in Natore include a wide range of items such as spices, mustard oil, noodles, sauces, jelly, pickles, chutneys, mayonnaise, chocolates, and chips.
Kamal emphasized that PRAN not only manufactures products in Natore but also sources most of the required raw materials from the district and surrounding areas. In the fiscal year 2022-23, PRAN procured agricultural raw materials worth approximately Taka 1,500 crore from contract farmers in Natore.
Hazrat Ali, General Manager at PRAN Agro Limited's factory, highlighted the company's various community initiatives such as road construction, scholarships for students, and tree planting activities. Additionally, there are plans to establish a public school in the district in the near future.
Touhiduzzaman, Assistant General Manager (Public Relations) at PRAN-RFL Group, also attended the program, underscoring the company's commitment to fostering economic growth and development in Natore and beyond.
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