Punjab, Reliance sign MoU on farm to fork project

Chandigarh, Aug 1: Government of Punjab and Reliance Retail Ltd (RRL) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for setting up a multi-crore farm to Fork-Agri Mega Retail Project in the state.

''This is a historic day when Punjab is signing a Rs 500-crore ambitious project which will translate into rising farm incomes, large employment generation, major export drive for selling the produce of Punjab globally, large scale credit access to the farmer with high quality banking to save them from committing suicides,'' Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal said.

This would further give an impetus to the crop diversification programme and enhance yields. It would provide high quality farm inputs, establish world-class supply chain infrastructure and promote food processing industries, she added.

The MoU was signed by Punjab Financial Commissioner (Development) G S Cheema and RRL President and Agri and Food Supply Chain Chief Executive Sanjeev Asthana in the presence of Mrs Bhattal.

''With this new initiative the average income of Punjab farmer would go up to one lakh rupees per acre in the next 3-4 years compared to Rs 20,000-25,000 earlier,'' Finance Minister Surinder Singla said. This project would involve corporate investment in agriculture, R&D, Extension service for farmers and marketing of agri products within the country and internationally, he added.

Unfolding the blue print of RRL in Punjab, Mr Asthana said that there would be ''substantial investment in the project'' and Reliance Retail would work closely with the State Agricultural Universities, the Department of Agriculture and the State Government in implementing this initiative.

He said that agri-business constitutes an important segment for us and this initiative will contribute fresh, frozen and processed fruits, vegetables, grains, oilseeds, poultry and dairy products to the upcoming chain of retail outlets across the country.

''The key elements of the initiative will consist of a series of interventions at the ground level. It will be spread across 50 rural business hubs and another 250 franchises linked with these hubs,'' he added.

He also mentioned that RRL's similar initiative in West Bengal would also begin soon.

Reliance is setting up a retail business in India. Punjab will be amongst the key states in this effort. The retail business will entail setting up large number of hypermarkets, supermarkets and speciality stores across the country. It would also establish captive farms, organic farms, green houses, and involve in floriculture, pisciculture and horticulture.

Reliance, to meet its objectives, would endeavour to set up warehouses, cold stores, sorting grading and packing facilities, processing facilities, transport and logistical facilities covering perishable and non-perishable commodities for a seamless supply chain.

RRL may also undertake B2B and B2C acrtivities.

Reliance may outsource facilities to associates, sub-lease from other sources or sub contract in any manner it deems fit.

Modern processes will be used to improve post harvest methods like transmission losses, wastages and preservation. This will be over and above the cropping methods and strategies.

UNI