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PepsiCo proposed to settle its lawsuit against four Indian farmers who cultivated the patented potato variety used in its Lays chips without the company's permission.

The company's Indian subsidiary has asked about 10 million rupees ($ 143,000) to each of the farmers earlier this month. Farmers grow potatoes in the western state of Gujarat, a major Indian agricultural producer. The case has provoked outrage from Indian farmers and social activists.

"PepsiCo India has offered to amicably settle people who were illegally using seed of its registered variety," PepsiCo told USA Today in a statement.

The company offered to drop the lawsuit if the farmers were part of its collaborative potato growing program. Farmers should buy seeds and resell them to the company at predetermined prices.

"In case they do not want to join this program, they could just sign an agreement and grow other varieties of potatoes available," PepsiCo said.

Farmers' counsel said they needed time to review the offer. The next hearing will be held on June 12.

PepsiCo is the largest buyer of processed potatoes in India. The company has developed the largest collaborative potato farm in India, comprising thousands of farmers.

"We have been growing potatoes for a long time and we have never encountered this problem because we mainly use the stored seed of one crop to plant the next year's crop," continued Bipin Patel. one of four farmers by Pepsico, told Reuters. Farmers groups have asked the Indian government to form a court on their behalf and take action against PepsiCo.

"The company has been forced to resort to judicial recourse as a last resort to preserve the broader interests of thousands of farmers who participate in its collaborative potato crop program," said PepsiCo's statement. The company plans to double its collaborative agriculture network over the next five years, including expanding into new regions.

"PepsiCo India has proposed settling amicably with people who were illegally using seed of its registered variety," says PepsiCo's statement. (Photo: Getty Images)

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The PepsiCo clash is the last battle in India between local companies and giant global companies.

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