New Delhi: Food and beverage company PepsiCo India on Wednesday said it will invest ₹778 crore to set up its first food-focussed manufacturing plant in Assam, easing access to markets in the north-east region.the manufacturing facility, spread over 44.2 acres in Nalbari, is proposed to be operational in 2025. It will provide direct and indirect employment opportunities to 500 people.PepsiCo India will assist farmers in the region by using state-of-the-art technology, high-quality seeds and affordable machinery and has a goal of sourcing 50,000 tonnes of potatoes from the state to produce its iconic brand Lay’s. The plant will also generate demand for cold storage capacity of 60,000 tonnes over the next few years, the company said in a statement.India is among the fastest growing markets for PepsiCo in AMESA region, said Eugene Willemsen, Chief Executive Officer, Africa, Middle East & South Asia, PepsiCo, stressing the need for building capacity in the country where it started operations in 1989.