Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd., the agri-irrigation leader today signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Maharashtra comprising two Mega Projects with an estimated investment of Rs. 550 Crores covering agro based and related products in the industrially backward district of Jalgaon. The investment will encompass additional production of micro irrigation equipment, fruit and vegetable processing, tissue culture and other allied agricultural activities. 

Signing ceremony took place in the presence of CM Shri Vilasrao Deshmukh, Dy. C.M. Shri. R. R. Patil as well as the concerned ministers, MLAs and other officials.  MoU was signed by the Managing Director Anil Jain with the Principal Secretary (Industries) in the presence of the Founder Chairman of Jain Irrigation, Shri Bhavarlal Jain.

Mr. Khan Principal Secretary (Industries), Maharashtra –

“Indeed, most of Jain Irrigation’s investment even in the plastic processing field is for the purposes of manufacturing products and systems used in agriculture. A small portion of investment in plastic processing, like plastic sheet, is however meant for exclusive exports to advanced countries in the world. Hence both the MoUs together symbolize investment in plasticulture – i.e. agriculture and plastics for agriculture.” said the Industries Secretary Mr. Khan.

“Together, these two Mega projects represent an investment of Rs. 550 Crores generating a minimum additional direct employment for about 1400 persons. At least 75% of this employment will be for local personnel.” he continued

Anil Jain, Managing Director, Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd. –

Mr. Anil Jain said, “From 1978 to 2007 i.e. in the past three decades, Jain Irrigation, under the dynamic leadership of Mr. Bhavarlal Jain, has invested about Rs. 600 crores. However, under the Mega-Project Scheme, in coming 4 years we are going to set up / expand world-class state-of-the-art facilities calling for an investment of about Rs. 550 crores in agriculture and related sector. These investments will ensure ‘more crop per drop’. We have acquired plants and facilities overseas both in the areas of Micro Irrigation and Fruit Processing. This has made the company globally No. 2 in Micro Irrigation and No. 3 in Vegetable Processing.”

“I thank the Government of Maharashtra for their proactive support in addition to the promised assistance in respect of creating suitable infrastructure facilities in respect of land, road-links, water and power availability. The support from the local political leadership as well as the administrative apparatus is also noteworthy. We are deeply rooted in rural Maharashtra and these Mega-projects are efforts to cement this relationship further.” he concluded. 

Bhavarlal Jain, Chairman, Jain Irrigation –

Speaking on the occasion, the Founder Chairman, Mr. Bhavarlal Jain, expressed his gratitude towards CM, Dy. CM as well as all the others present for the ceremony. He confided “For me agriculture is not merely an industrial venture or professional or business activity; it is an article of faith.  Jain Irrigation has created a model extending from Wasteland Reclamation to Watershed Planning, Improved Agricultural and Horticultural Practices, and High Tech Food Processing for domestic and export markets. Ours is probably the only one-stop-agri-shop in the private sector which produces and markets all the high-tech agricultural inputs globally and does it in an integrated manner. We possibly have the largest pool of talented agricultural scientists, engineers and technicians in the private sector. We are proud to have been a part of second green revolution. 

Vilasrao Deshmukh, Chief Minister, Maharashtra -

On this occasion the Chief Minister said, “The planned investment by Jain Irrigation is an extension of Mr. Jain’s continuing efforts to step up agricultural productivity, and conservation of natural precious resources like land and water.  Jain Irrigation’s Research, Development and Demonstration Centre has become almost a pilgrimage centre for farmers, agricultural students and officers alike. I have been a witness to their immense contribution to agriculture for over two decades.”

Though they are now a global major in the field of micro irrigation and they have acquired significant stake even in an Israeli micro irrigation company, their more than 80% investment and asset creation is in Maharashtra. Moreover, through recent acquisitions in USA and Israel, they have brought home the latest in micro irrigation technology. Through micro irrigation they have given a new direction to water management and distribution to the State of Maharashtra in particular and the country in general. Their decade-long forays in Fruit and Vegetable Processing are now getting globally recognized.  Maharashtra is proud that Jain Irrigation has put Jalgaon, an industrially backward district, on the global map.”

He emphasized, “This represents the only kind of MoU coming from a company deeply rooted in rural Maharashtra. We cherish the enduring relationship between them and the State of Maharashtra.                                                                                                                         

R R Patil Dy. Chief Minister, Maharashtra –

“Jain Irrigation is probably investing in Maharashtra in the coming four years an amount equal to what they invested so far during the last three decades. I believe, in the post independent era, barring the capital intensive fertilizer industrial units, no other industrial house would have invested such huge amount totalling to over Rs. 1000 crores in an risk-prone sector such as agriculture. They not only manufacture Drip and Sprinkler Irrigation Systems and PVC Pipes but also Tissue-cultured Banana Plants, Organic Manure as well as Bio-gas – all relevant for the Indian farmer and achieving prosperity of the rural area.” said the Dy. Chief Minister Mr. R. R. Patil.

Ashok Chavan Minister of Industries, Maharashtra-

Minister of Industries Mr. Ashok Chavan said, “I am particularly pleased with the fact that these projects are being set up in the industrially backward Tehsils of the district of Jalgaon. This will go a long way in reducing the disparity and the distance between the urban and the rural populace and maintains balance between development and ecological concerns.  It is all the more important for Maharashtra, because despite rapid urbanization about 60% of our population is directly or indirectly dependant on agriculture and we don’t get adequate rainfall in most parts of Maharashtra. Jain Irrigation does not only sell drip and sprinkler irrigation systems but also supplies PVC pipes and purchases fruits for processing for domestic and export markets.

Balasaheb Thorat Minister of Agriculture, Maharashtra –

“As far as I see it,” said Mr. Balasaheb Thorat, Minister of Agriculture, “the investment committed by Jain Irrigation is in keeping with their exemplary work in the field of production of vital agricultural inputs and Water Management. Mr. Jain has pioneered many innovative technologies which can be seen as beneficial to the farmers whether they are in the remotest districts like Gadhchiroli in Vidarbha or a high rainfall district like Raigad in Kokan on one hand and the predominantly Adiwasi district of Nandurbar or progressive districts like Sangli, Solapur, Kolhapur, on the other.  I am extremely happy with the fact that rural areas in Maharashtra   will be the direct beneficiary of their significant quantum of investment in the Agriculture Sector.

Johny Joseph, Chief Secretary, Maharashtra –

 “Out of about half a dozen MoUs the Government of Maharashtra has signed in the recent past with different units in the industrial sector, the present MoUs with Jain Irrigation regarding investment in Agriculture and Fruit & Vegetable Processing are unique from the point of view of improving agricultural productivity and rural incomes. Such rural investment helps smoothen and soothe the social tensions which the rapid growth process entails.

Jain Irrigation’s significant investment in excess of Rs. 550 crore in the agriculture sector is timely and will help increase agricultural productivity in the state.” commended the Chief Secretary, Mr. Johny Joseph.

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