CPL confirms market for 1000 local farmers

By GYNNIE KERO
ABOUT a thousand local farmers are suppling the City Pharmacy Ltd Group supermarkets with fresh garden produce, according to managing director Mahesh Patel, pictured,
Patel told The National that between 500 and 700 farmers were from the Highlands region while the remaining were from Central.
In addition, farmers in East New Britain supplied galip nuts. Earlier this month, a women’s group in Southern Highlands started sending fruits and vegetables from their gardens by air to Port Moresby as part of an agreement reached with the company.
The Mama Halpim Mama Foundation founder Ruth Undi lent her aircraft to transport the produce to Port Moresby from the Kagamuga airport in Western Highlands. Patel confirmed that the supply was for their Stop and Shop supermarkets – 500kg sent by air and 6000kg by sea.
Foundation member Clare Dick said they had sent two lots. Garden produce include lemons, tomatoes, broccoli, avocados and mandarins.
Dick said the women were from Ialibu-Pangia, Imbonggu and Kagua-Erave district.
Patel said it was not the first time that CPL was helping women and farmers “for economic empowerment”.
“We have been doing that for almost 10 years and it’s been growing. We would like to encourage people from all across the country to start doing so.,” he said.