Cargills and its commitment to farmers, customers
View(s):Every morning, Cargills sources around 140 tonnes of fresh fruit and vegetables, through 10 collection centres located across Sri Lanka. Beyond just buying produce at these centres, the company encourages and support its farmers to be customer-oriented, so that the quantity and quality of their produce effectively meets the demands of their customers.
In a media release, Cargills said this customer-centric approach is reinforced through a long-standing commitment to efficient value chain management. “Specifically, our unique out-grower model has enabled us to eliminate middlemen and reduce post-harvest loss from over 40 per cent to less than 8 per cent. Through the efficiency gains resulting from this model, we are able to offer our customers and our farmers a better price for their products,” it said.
Similarly, throughout its operations, the company is mindful of its customers’ concerns on the safety of the produce they consume. In this context, Cargills has consistently promoted the adoption of good agricultural practices (GAP) in the production of fruit and vegetables. With the support of the Department of Agriculture, Cargills has strived to ensure that farmers avoid the overuse of agro-chemicals and fertilizers, with each plot of land being individually tested to determine optimal levels of fertilizer. As a result, all the produce falls within globally-accepted criteria pertaining to residue on fruits and vegetables.
The release said that two years ago the Department of Agriculture embarked on a transformative initiative to introduce GAP certification in Sri Lanka. Today, with the introduction of clear standards and guidelines for good agricultural practice, this initiative has come to fruition.
As this important initiative takes flight, Cargills is leading the way in translating SL-GAP certification into practice; leveraging its extensive network of retail outlets to offer customers certified GAP produce, under its new brand – Good Harvest. Apart from being the first range of products to be formally sourced in full adherence to GAP-certified criteria, each product also facilitates traceability with its packaging containing information on the farmer, along with a unique QR code.
“Driven by a vision and mission to support national development, Cargills remains committed to promoting nutritious consumption at affordable prices. As we continue to empower our customers to consume local fruit and vegetables with confidence, we are confident that the introduction of GAP certification marks yet another turning point in the advancement of the agriculture sector in Sri Lanka,” the release added.