PRAN starts tomato collection Plan to procure 20,000 metric tons PRAN, one of the largest agro-processors in the country, has started tomato collection and pulping activities this season for manufacturing sauce, ketchup, tomato paste and other food items. The inauguration ceremony took place at Barind (Varendra) Industrial Park in Rajshahi on Monday (Jan-15), with the presence of AKM Moinul Islam Moin, Executive Director of PRAN Agro Ltd, Sarowar Hossain, General Manager of Barind Industrial Park (BIP) and other high officials of PRAN. This year, PRAN aims to procure 20,000 metric tons of tomatoes. To meet the target, the agro processor is also going to collect tomatoes through PRAN Agro Ltd factory in Natore from Sunday (Jan-21) in addition to BIP. Sarowar Hossain, General Manager of BIP said, “We are collecting tomatoes from Rajshahi, Natore, Chapai Nawabganj, Dinajpur, Pabna and Naogaon districts. The 10,000 contract farmers of PRAN, cultivated tomato in 2500 bighas of land. The tomato pulp is being preserved using aseptic technology after being crashed in factories. The collection and pulping activities will be continued till the availability of tomatoes in the field.” Kamruzzaman Kamal, Marketing Director of PRAN-RFL Group, said “Sauce, ketchup and other food items are made from the processed pulp of tomatoes. PRAN is the market leader in the sector and we have the capacity to produce 18,000 tons of sauces every year.” “PRAN’s sauce and ketchup have a good demand across the globe. If the demand increases more in world market, farmers will be able to earn more. Presently, PRAN exports its sauce and ketchup to many countries including Malaysia, UAE, USA, Italy and Sweden. We are also trying to spread the market,” he added.