Bharti Walmart Opens First Agricultural Co-operative Centre in Sirhind, Punjab

- Unique Direct Farm Program to build and implement a sustainable crop production model

- To streamline supply chain operations for direct farm produce as well as open market sourcing

- Provide multiple benefits to farmers and customers

Chandigarh, January 20, 2010: Bharti Walmart Private Limited, the joint venture between Bharti Enterprises and Walmart Stores Inc for wholesale cash and carry and back-end supply chain management operations, today opened its first Agricultural Co-operative Centre in Sirhind, Punjab.

The Agricultural Co-operative Centre aims to build a robust aggregating, handling, packaging and delivering system of fresh produce to Best Price and Bharti Retail’s easyday stores. This initiative is part of Bharti Walmart’s Direct Farm Program in partnership with 100 small and marginal farmers near Ludhiana, Punjab. The farmers will be paid for their produce within 24 hours post delivery. All legalities including APMC tax will be fully complied with.

Speaking about the initiative, Mr. Raj Jain, Managing Director and CEO, Bharti Walmart said, “At Bharti Walmart, it is our constant endeavor to develop and work with local suppliers to develop an efficient and robust supply chain by reducing waste and ensuring qualitative, fresh produce for customers at easyday and Best Price Modern Wholesale stores. To meet these objectives, our associates, in partnership with Bayer CropScience will share best practices with small and marginal farmers to improve the quality and quantity of their yield. 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.”

Bharti Walmart’s partner Bayer CropScience has designed a scientific solution for the farmers through their “5P” process that underscores best practices in production, protection, program monitoring, passport and post-harvest. Through these, Agriculture Centre will provide manifold benefits for farmers, including 7-10% higher price realization vis-à-vis open markets and additional incentives for better quality produce. The Centre will provide farmers with expert advice on crop planning and management, further strengthening Bharti Walmart’s initiative to support farmers and small manufacturers who have limited infrastructure and distribution strength. The benefits accrued from minimized wastage of fresh foods and vegetables will be passed on to customers in the form of fresh and consistent quality produce at low prices.