KELLY NJOMBO ,Lusaka
PICK N PAY Zambia is teaming up with the Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) to directly buy farm produce from its members.
Pick n Pay company general manager Andy Roberts said the scheme will enable farmers have access to a ready market to help overcome challenges farmers are currently facing.
Recently Vice president Guy Scott challenged the ZNFU to find alternative markets for its members instead of depending on Government.
Mr Roberts said once the firm starts purchasing the produce directly from farmers, it will also help increase their income generation.
“We have been discussing with ZNFU, we are looking at a scheme where we [Pick n Pay] link directly with the farmers. The scheme will not only create a ready market for them, but it will also enable the company meet the demand of its customers,” he said.
Mr Roberts said this in an interview in Lusaka on Thursday.
He said the company is also working on increasing its local Zambian content on various products in all the Pick n Pay stores across the country.
He said Pick n Pick wants to ensure that local manufacturers and suppliers benefit from the company by supplying various products to the store.
“With a growing retail footprint in Zambia, Pick n Pay is currently working to improve the lives of the Zambian small and large scale suppliers, employees and the local community through empowerment, the sale of fresh and diverse products and social responsibility,” he said.