Supply consistency vital: CPL

THE consistent supply and quality of local produce will ensure that farmers benefit and the produce attracts customers, says City Pharmacy Ltd (CPL) project manager Ajay Patel.
He witnessed the first load of Santana potatoes on Friday supplied by farmers in the Kundiawa-Gembogl district of Chimbu now on sale at CPL’s Stop N Shop outlets in Port Moresby. “The one thing that we keep telling farmers is that we are here for quality and consistency, and we are here for the long term,” he said.
“We are not going anywhere.
“We will keep buying.
“So as long as we can fix up the issues with supply chains, which I think is the biggest risk in this entire programme, I think we can definitely make things work, and not just in Chimbu but throughout PNG.”
CPL founder Sir Mahesh Patel said Stop N Shop was excited to support local farmers.
He thanked Kundiawa-Gembogl MP William Onglo for the partnership.
“A few months ago or even years back, we started on the Gembogl onions,” he said. “I mean for 38 years in PNG, I have seen a lot of leaders.
“But we need leaders who actually go down, roll up his sleeves and works with the farmers, because the farmers alone can’t do it.”
“It is a great start to New Year.
“We got not only the Chimbu onions, but also the potatoes.
“Hopefully, it will keep growing. We have to keep finding things, not only in Chimbu but also around the country.
“There is a lot of excitement.
“What we want to do eventually as the quantities grow, is to do value-added products.
“Instead of getting imported chips, we can have roast potatoes served in our food bars as well. That will also create demand.”