Italian agricultural machinery maker Maschio Gaspardo has set up its first plant in India at Ranjangoan near Pune in India's western state of Maharashtra with an investment of 2 billion rupees ($36 million), a top company executive said Friday.

The plant will initially make rotary tillers and supply them to tractor makers Mahindra and Mahindra and New Holland India.

The company also plans to introduce technology in the Indian agricultural market with more products, and develop those specific to local needs.

Alessio Riulini, the managing director of Maschio Gaspardo India, said "The growing importance of Indian agricultural market gives this country a central position in Maschio Gaspardo Group's global strategy."

The Pune plant will employ 120 people now and will increase the number to 250 people along with planned further investment of 1 billion rupees ($18 million) till 2017.

The Maschio Gaspardo group specialises in the production of agricultural machinery for tillage, sowing, seeding, landscaping, forage-making, sprayers and crop care. It has 11 manufacturing sites worldwide.

The new plant will aid the group to achieve its aim of exceeding $280 million turnover in 2012.