Chandigarh, October 17
Mr Mukesh Ambani of Reliance Industries is planning to set up a fresh-food chain in Punjab with an initial investment of Rs 5,000 crore.
He discussed the proposal today with the Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder
Singh, the Finance Minister, Mr Surinder Singla, and others concerned. Besides, he has also talked to the Union Agriculture Minister, Mr Sharad Pawar, and the Union Civil Aviation Minister, Mr Praful Patel, in this regard.
Informed sources say that Mr Ambani will start his operations in this region from December 28, the day his father, the late Dhirubhai
Ambani, was born in 1932. Obviously, the chain will be dedicated to Dhirubhai Ambani.
The sources said Mr Mukesh Ambani would buy fresh foods ,especially green vegetables, from Punjab for export to Central Asia, Europe and the USA. He would set up his own cargo facility near Amritsar to transport the fresh stocks by air from Punjab to other parts of the world. He is keen to have his own fleet for transportation purposes.
He will set up his own infrastructure to procure green vegetables. For training farmers to grow quality organic products, he has sought the help of the Punjab Government. He has shown interest in having a tie-up with either Punjab Agricultural University or some other such institution to impart training to farmers in this state. He will be for the total elimination of middlemen. He will buy produce direct from farmers and after proper processing and grading transport it to other countries.
The sources said that Mr Mukesh Ambani had collected information that in the USA, a farmer got 45 paise for his produce that was sold to consumers for Rs 1 through a chain of agents such as shopkeepers, commission agents in the market, etc. In other words, the farmer earned only 45 paise for the produce that was ultimately sold for Rs 1 at the consumer end. That meant 55 paise was pocketed by other persons while the actual producer got only 45 paise. Compared to the USA, in India a farmer got only between 10 paise and 15 paise. The remaining 85 paise pocketed by middlemen, including commission agents, transporters and others.
"Mr Mukesh Ambani wants that Punjab farmers should get returns at least on a par with the US farmers (45 paise) for their produce worth Re 1," the informed sources said. " It will increase the income of Punjab farmers at least by three times", the sources added. It will be the first time that Mr Mukesh Ambani will be entering in the agricultural sector. He has got studies conducted with regard to the demand fresh foods in Central Asia, Europe and elsewhere. In fact, most of the people in Europe and the USA are turning to fresh foods from frozen or pre-cooked foods," the sources added.
