BackAndhra Pradesh, Walmart form task force for sourcing agri-commodities
The move comes as part of the firm's plans to open 15 cash and carry stores in the state over the next five years
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Hyderabad: World’s largest retailer Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and the Andhra Pradesh government on Wednesday joined hands to source agriculture commodities from the state as part of its plans to open 15 cash and carry stores in the state over the next five years.
The decision was made during the maiden visit of David Cheesewright, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Walmart International to India.
Cheesewright met Andhra Pradesh chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday in Hyderabad, where the two agreed to constitute a task force comprising executives of Walmart’s India division and special chief secretary (agriculture) Vijay Kumar. The task force would review its decisions and action plan every three months.
“You can make Andhra Pradesh a global sourcing hub for certain agri commodities," a state government statement quoted Naidu as telling Cheesewright. The chief minister also pointed to the potential of sourcing fruits from water-deficit Ananthapur district besides rice and spices, which are produced in huge quantities in the state.
Walmart currently sources cashew nuts, red chillies, coconuts and sweet lime from the state. The company could work with agriculture and horticulture department officials to identify additional agriculture commodities, vegetables and fruits that can be sourced from the state, Naidu said in the statement.
Sourcing agriculture commodities from local farmers would increase productivity and help in capacity building in the agriculture sector, the statement said.
The state government has also promised its support to plug supply chain gaps and for setting up cold-chain linkages. He also offered the retailer the state’s ports to export products.
The chief minister’s office said that Naidu sought Walmart’s technology and marketing expertise in improving farm productivity in the state.
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