Bharti

Bharti Del Monte India becomes India’s largest exporter of Fresh Baby Corn

• ● Company’s total Baby Corn export exceed 200 tons from Punjab
• ● Hon’ble Chief Secretary of Punjab, Ramesh Inder Singh, IAS, flags off Baby Corn consignment to the UK

Ludhiana, January 12, 2009: Bharti Del Monte India Pvt. Ltd, a joint venture between Bharti Enterprises and DMPL India Ltd. (a subsidiary of Del Monte Pacific Ltd.) has become the largest fresh Baby Corn exporter in the country. To mark the occasion, an international consignment of fresh Baby Corn was today flagged off to the UK. The consignment was flagged off by the Hon’ble Chief Secretary of Punjab, Ramesh Inder Singh, IAS, Mr. Rakesh Bharti Mittal, Vice Chairman & MD, Bharti Enterprises and Director, Bharti Del Monte India was present at the occasion along with other senior dignitaries.

Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Rakesh Bharti Mittal said “Bharti Del Monte India is proud to be the largest exporter of fresh Baby Corn in the country. This achievement is a tribute to the entire farming community of Punjab, whose dedicated efforts have made us achieve this tremendous feat. We sincerely thank the Government of Punjab for their kind support and cooperation without which this landmark achievement would not have been possible.”

Bharti Del Monte India has invested its resources primarily in the state of Punjab, where it has done collaborative farming with Punjab farmers in over 1000 acres. FieldFresh ACE, spread over 300 acres, is an integrated Research & Development facility, focusing on crop and varietal trials, progressive farming techniques, identification and adoption of appropriate technologies. The centre serves as a hub to disseminate knowledge to partner farmers. The ongoing knowledge and best practice sharing at FieldFresh ACE has immensely benefited the farmers by increasing their yield per acre through optimum utilization of resources and enhancing the number of crop cycles, thus significantly increasing their farming income.

The company’s efforts resulted in the farmers growing Baby Corn in three cycles from May till December ’08 and consistently yielding record growth with international quality. The key to the success of fresh produce in the export & domestic market is the post-harvest management that has resulted in the company’s products being sought by the leading international retailers such as Sainsbury, ASDA, Morrison and Sommerfield. The company has invested heavily in setting up a state-of-the-art pack-house with hydro-coolers to ensure that the product is maintained at the right temperature to retain the quality. The facility can process 250 metric tons of various fruits & vegetables per day and has a cold storage capacity of 500 metric tons.

In addition to the 24 x 7 support to the farmers through an extension services team, the company’s commitment to social responsibility has also benefited the local community. Bharti Del Monte India aims to provide equal employment opportunities to men and women, and has a majority of women from nearby villages employed at the FieldFresh ACE, Ladhowal. Having adopted a Satya Bharti School at Ladhowal, the company’s employees have been actively involved in several voluntary activities benefiting nearly 200 underprivileged children, leveraging the Bharti Foundation network.

Safe food, good agriculture practices, environmental safety, fair trade practices and high employee welfare standards are the underpinnings of the Company's business approach. With a vision to being the most trusted and innovative provider of branded fresh fruits & vegetables and processed food products, Bharti Del Monte India is undoubtedly and steadily poised on a path of growth.

About Bharti Del Monte India Private Limited:

Bharti Del Monte India Private Limited incorporated in September 2004, is a joint venture between Bharti Enterprises and DMPL India Ltd., which offers fresh fruits & vegetables and processed foods and beverages in the domestic as well as international markets. Bharti Del Monte India Pvt Ltd., in the 'fresh' foods category is the largest Indian exporter of Babycorn and is also engaged in providing 'safe', fresh and hygienic fruits and vegetables in 'convenient' formats to food service and modern retail segments in the domestic market under the FieldFresh brand. The company has recently entered in the 'processed' foods category by launching Del Monte brand in India with a promise to offer the consumers innovative products in foods and beverages - combining great taste and goodness of health.