Walmart, the US-based retail giant has expressed interest to collaborate with the Andhra Pradesh Government in sourcing agriculture commodities from local farmers, increasing productivity and capacity building in the agriculture sector.

This was conveyed by David Cheesewright, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Walmart International during his meeting with the Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu today at the Secretariat.

Naidu responded positively and a task force including Walmart India executives and Special Chief Secretary to Government (Agriculture) Vijay Kumar has been constituted. "We can review the decisions and action plan once in three months and evaluate our progress," the Chief Minister said in an official press release.

The Chief Minister was informed that the company is currently sourcing cashewnuts, red chillies, coconuts and sweet lime from the State.

Cheesewright said that Walmart Foundation is interested in working with the government on CSR activities such as training women from Self-help Groups (SHGs) in various skills.

The Chief Minister also assured the Walmart CEO that the State would extend support for cold-chain linkages and in bridging supply gaps. He sought Walmart’s technology and marketing expertise in improving productivity.

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