GOSHEN — An Elkhart company that works closely with farmers all over the world has pledged to add more jobs in Elkhart County.

The Elkhart County Council unanimously approved a tax abatement Friday morning that will allow Agdia Inc. to expand and move into a larger facility. Agdia, which has been in Elkhart for 24 years, makes kits that test for plant diseases that affect the quality of crops.

Agdia has outgrown its facility on C.R. 6 and recently purchased 60 acres of land near C.R. 1 and C.R. 10, where the company broke ground this week. As part of a seven-year tax phase-in, the company plans to invest $6.6 million in real estate improvements. Agdia has also agreed to a five-year phase-in for more than $1 million in new manufacturing equipment and technology.

Agdia plans to create 22 full-time positions with annual wages adding up to almost $1.4 million. The company has about 50 employees who have an average salary of $70,000 per person.

Councilman David Hess noted that agricultural technology is an expanding industry.

“The growth is just exponential,” he said. “I think it’s great to have a company like this located here in Elkhart County.”