METRO FARMER CONNECT’ 2019 by METRO Cash & Carry, sensitizes the farmer community on the latest trends in agriculture and existing government schemes

Malur, 25th June 2019: To empower the farmer community at Malur, METRO Cash & Carry, India’s leading organized wholesaler and food specialist, organised a ‘METRO FARMER CONNECT’- a unique awareness session at its Malur collection center. Industry experts like MS. Kshama Patil, Deputy Director, PPP-IHD(Public Private Partnership – Integrated Horticulture Development), Department of Horticulture, Government of Karnataka; Ms. Bhavya Rani GR, Assistant Director, Department of Agriculture, Kolar District, Mr. Jayaramu, Food Chain Manager, Bayer Crop Science, along with Mr. Manish Sabnis, Director, Offer Management, METRO Cash & Carry India Pvt. Ltd. interacted with more than 100 farmers from in and around Malur village. The farmers were educated and informed about the latest agricultural trends, sustainable farming practices, beneficial schemes of central and state government, , and other support programs by Government of India.

Malur is amongst the six collection centers of METRO Cash & Carry in India to procure fresh fruits and vegetables directly from the local farmers. METRO Farmer Connect programme is a regular farmer training program organised by the company to educate farmers on crop production & quality enhancement, optimum pesticide usage, soil nutrition management and post-harvest techniques leveraging in-house and agricultural experts.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Manish Sabnis, Director – Offer Management, Supply Chain & Own Brand, METRO Cash and Carry India Pvt. Ltd., said “At METRO, we are addressing the food quality, safety and pricing issues through our direct sourcing of fresh produce from local farmers that has positively impacted over 5000 farmers across the country. In order to strengthen the agrarian eco-system in the regions wherein we operate, we have six collection centers to procure directly from the farmers to support them in sustainable production of high-quality produce and ensure transparent pricing for them. We source over 50% of our total fruit & vegetable requirements through our direct farm program to ensure best quality and freshest produce reaches our customers daily.

Additionally, we have collaborated with over 120,000 small and marginal farmers directly & indirectly through associated partners, in order to source around 18,000 MT of food grains for our pesticide-free grocery range- ‘Fine Life Bio. Through Fine Life Bio, under our own brands range, we want customers to consume healthy, pesticide-free good food in an affordable and sustainable manner. We are committed to offer significant growth potential for the benefit of the local farming community and strengthen the agrarian fabric of the economy.”

Spread across 2000 square feet, the Malur collection center benefits over 500 native farmers from over 100 villages Araleri, Dyapasandra, Medatti, Mittiganahalli, Purasanahalli, Channakal, Mangapura, Anikarahalli, Sonnahalli, Doddakadathur, Daddashivara, Chikkakadathur, Doddakadathur, Doddasabbenahalli, Chikkasabbenahalli, Madivala, Chokkondahalli, Irabanahalli, Voppachalli, Doddakallahalli, Dinneri Harohalli, Sonnahalli, Bhavanahalli, Hosahalli, Hungenahalli, Tirumalakoppa, Hedaginabale to name a few. METRO sources 40-50 major vegetables and seasonal fruits directly from these native farmers. Malur along with the Chikkaballapur Collection Center in Karnataka contributes 3600 MT of volume per annum, which is almost 50% of the total volume of METRO stores in Bangalore. The Collection Center supports the farmers in the sustainable production of high-quality fruits and vegetables and ensures fresh quality produce reaches the end consumer in a sustained manner.

The Collection Centers are part of METRO’s DIRECT FARM program that has given impetus to businesses for over 5000 registered farmers across the country. Through the Farmers’ collection centers, METRO sources fresh fruits and vegetables directly from farmers that help them fetch a good price for their seasonal produce. The direct sourcing from farm benefits local farmers as it reduces their transportation costs and eventually helps to eliminate food wastage and loss for farmers.

METRO is the first HACCP [Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point]-certified wholesaler and compliant with global quality standards. METRO’s strict adherence to quality ensures all the necessary food safety control systems are maintained within the stores for customers.

About METRO Cash & Carry:

METRO Cash & Carry operates in 26 countries over 760 wholesale markets with about 105,000 employees worldwide. In financial year 2017/18 it generated sales of about €29.5 billion. METRO Cash & Carry is a leading international wholesale company with food and non-food assortments that specializes on serving the needs of hotels, restaurants and caterers (HoReCa) as well as independent traders. Around the world, METRO has some 24 million customers who can choose whether to shop in one of the large-format stores, order online and collect their purchases at the store or have them delivered. METRO in addition also supports the competitiveness of entrepreneurs and own businesses with digital solutions and thereby contributes to cultural diversity in retail and hospitality. METRO Cash & Carry is the wholesale division of METRO that operates in 36 countries and employs more than 150,000 people worldwide. In financial year 2017/18, METRO generated sales of €36.5 billion.

METRO Cash & Carry entered the Indian market in 2003. The company currently operates twenty-seven wholesale distribution centers under the brand METRO Wholesale including six in Bangalore, four in Hyderabad, two each in Mumbai and Delhi, and one each in Kolkata, Jaipur, Jalandhar, Zirakpur, Amritsar, Vijayawada, Ahmedabad, Surat, Indore, Lucknow, Meerut, Nasik and Ghaziabad.

Contact: press@metro.co.in