SHIMLA: After Bharti Walmart started
working with farmers in Punjab and Haryana, it is now French retail giant
Carrefour which is extending technical support to apple farmers in Himachal
Pradesh. The company is working along with farmers in Matiana region of Shimla
district.

The company so far has been selecting progressive farmers
willing to go ahead with modern retail. To an e-mail query, Carrefour WC&C
India Private limited, Fresh Commercial Director, Yannick Douville said the
company will help farmers to improve their farming techniques and then deliver
better quality apple. “Our technical advises will focus mainly on limited
chemicals usage, natural fertilizing, harvest handling and post harvest storage
conditions,” he said.

According to him as soon as the first
Carrefour store is open in India, the company will start a regular supply from
Matiana to New Delhi for Himachal apples. Delhi based Dev Bhumi Cold Chain is
one of the selected suppliers of the company which will ensure storage and
logistic from Himachal to New Delhi for selected farmers. “So far, we’re
working on 2 varieties Golden and Red Delicious apples. Our basic requirements
are sugar contents (sugar % called briks), limited chemicals treatments, natural
fertilizing, and then storage conditions to make sure quality and taste will be
preserved,”said Mr Douville.

He added, “apples in India
seem to be grown in more remote areas than other big production countries ( e.g
France, Chile, China) so care and maintenance for trees are probably more
complicated . The way ahead is definitely to work on the best adapted varieties
for India climate, maintenance for trees, pruning and regular and alternate
replacement of old trees with new ones.”

Carrefour has been
exchanging views on their production practices, and company requirements for
produces with the farmers in the region. Currently more than 30 farmers with
minimum land holding of 10-15 bighas were part of the program.

With
Carrefour stating that it plans to open its first cash-and-carry outlet in India
in early 2010 the company has already selected some suppliers and is
continuously exploring all sourcing possibilities for coming opening on a more
long term approach in the fresh fruits and vegetables sector. “Carrefour
has been so far exploring many areas in India, Uttar Pradesh green belt,
Maharastra, Haryana (some examples potatoes in Agra area, onion in Nashik etc).
Carrefour is mainly focusing in finding progressive farmers willing to
understand modern retail requirements in term of farming practices with respect
of environment, sustainable quality and good taste,”said Mr
Douville.