Bharti Wal-Mart yesterday opened its Agricultural Cooperative Centre in Sirhind, near Chandigarh in the Indian state of Punjab.
The centre aims to build a strong production, handling, packaging and delivery system for fresh produce to Best Price and Bharti Retail's Easyday stores, the company said in a press release.
This initiative is part of Bharti Wal-Mart'sDirect Farm Programwhich saw the company join forces with 100 small farmers near Ludhiana, Punjab.
The farmers will be paid for their produce within 24 hours of delivery and the centre, in conjunction with Bharti Wal-Mart's partner Bayer CropScience, will also provide farmers with expert advice on crop planning and management.
As well as supporting local farmers with limited infrastructure, it is hoped that less produce will be wasted, and the benefits will be passed on to customers in the form of consistently fresh produce at low prices.
Bharti Wal-Mart's managing director and CEO Raj Jain said the centre would have substantial benefits for both producers and consumers.
'This initiative will substantially increase the prices farmers get for their produce. It will also directly link farmers to consumers, providing them access to quality produce at low prices,' he said.
