Kumar Gandharv | 21 October 2026
https://www.crnasia.com/india/news/2026/pepsico-india-expands-ai-and-automation-across-farming-factories-and-supply-chain
PepsiCo India is expanding the use of artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics and automation across its operations, from agricultural procurement and manufacturing to logistics, distributor management and consumer engagement.
The company is building on its existing digital infrastructure by scaling business-focused technology solutions across its value chain, according to an announcement.
The initiatives include digitising potato procurement and farmer transactions, using Cropin’s satellite-based crop intelligence platform, deploying digital shop floors in manufacturing and applying AI-powered tools to improve transport planning and retail execution.
PepsiCo India and South Asia, vice president, strategy and transformation, says the company is strengthening its digital capabilities across its business, from agriculture to market execution.https://thechannelcompany.dragonforms.com/loading.do?omedasite=CRNAsia_NLembed
The approach combines enterprise technology platforms with applications tailored to specific operational requirements, including crop management, factory performance, warehouse productivity and sales execution. PepsiCo says these initiatives are intended to improve decision-making, operational agility and productivity.
The company has not disclosed the investment behind the initiatives, the vendors involved beyond Cropin, or quantified improvements in productivity, cost or operational performance.
Cropin supports digital agriculture and potato procurement
PepsiCo India says it has fully digitised its potato procurement process and farmer transactions. The company is also using Cropin’s satellite-based crop intelligence platform to provide farmers with data-driven agronomic insights.
Information generated through digital platforms is translated into SMS alerts and guidance from agronomists, helping farmers make decisions on crop health, irrigation, harvesting and input management.
The deployment connects digital crop intelligence with PepsiCo’s agricultural procurement operations. It also illustrates how data from farming activities can support decisions earlier in the company’s supply chain.
However, the announcement does not disclose how many farmers use the platform, the geographical coverage of the deployment, or whether the use of crop intelligence has delivered measurable improvements in yields, water use or procurement efficiency.
It also does not detail the technical integration between Cropin’s platform and PepsiCo’s procurement systems.
Digital shop floors and warehouse automation
Across manufacturing, PepsiCo India is using digital shop floors to provide real-time visibility into plant performance, production throughput and downtime. The company says this visibility supports faster decision-making and helps improve operational responsiveness.
Its warehousing and logistics operations are also using Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS), Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and AI-enabled Transport Control Towers.
These technologies are intended to improve warehouse productivity, strengthen logistics visibility and optimise transportation planning. PepsiCo says the initiatives also support its sustainability ambitions, although it has not disclosed specific energy, emissions or efficiency results.
The announcement does not identify the providers of the shop-floor systems, warehouse platforms or transport control towers. I
t also does not specify which manufacturing facilities or warehouses use these technologies, or whether the deployments are being extended to additional sites.
AI extends to distributors and retail execution
PepsiCo India is also applying digital tools across its go-to-market operations. Its capabilities include handheld salesforce automation, distributor management systems, geo-tagged retail execution and AI-powered image recognition supporting its Perfect Store programme.
The company says these tools provide real-time visibility across its sales network and strengthen retail execution.
PepsiCo is using PEP Connect, a WhatsApp-based platform, to engage retailers. Its Pep Genie platform supports personalised consumer engagement and loyalty experiences.
The announcement does not identify the technology providers behind these platforms or disclose adoption figures, transaction volumes or measurable improvements in distributor performance and retailer engagement.
PepsiCo says it is continuing to extend AI across planning, innovation and enterprise operations, while giving employees access to its enterprise AI platforms. It has not named the platforms or specified the business functions in which additional AI applications will be deployed.