Skydates, Pick n Pay deal wins FQM backing
By Ludia Ngwadzai
FIRST Quantum Minerals (FQM) is supporting Solwezi-based fresh produce company Skydates Enterprises in a new partnership with Pick n Pay aimed at creating reliable markets for smallholder farmers.
The partnership, formalised through a memorandum of understanding (MoU), is expected to strengthen market access for locally produced fruits and vegetables while supporting the growth of small-scale farming in Zambia.
Speaking during the MoU, FQM corporate affairs manager Kyansenga Chitoshi said the partnership was an important milestone in the mining company’s efforts to support local businesses and promote economic diversification.
“This partnership marks an important milestone in our efforts to support local businesses,” Chitoshi said.
She said Skydates was among 17 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Solwezi being supported through the Kansanshi Accelerator Programme, which seeks to strengthen local businesses and enhance their capacity to participate in supply chains.
Chitoshi said FQM had so far invested approximately K17.6 million in equipping the 17 local SMEs.
Pick n Pay head of fresh produce in Zambia Wayne Manton said the retailer remained committed to promoting small-scale farming, which he described as an important component of Zambia’s agriculture sector.
Manton said Pick n Pay was pleased to welcome Skydates as a new supplier and recognised the company’s contribution to supporting smallholder farmers.
“Pick n Pay welcomes Skydates as a new supplier and recognises its role in supporting small-scale farming operations in Zambia,” he said.
Manton said the retailer would continue working to expand opportunities for small-scale farmers as agriculture continued to grow.
“We will continue working to promote and improve opportunities for small-scale farmers as the agricultural sector grows,” he said.
Speaking at the same event, Skydates Enterprises operations manager Grey Maliti said the company, which started operations in 2011, works with smallholder farmers by aggregating fruits and vegetables while ensuring quality and consistent supply.
Maliti said support from the Kansanshi Foundation and FQM had helped strengthen the company’s operations through market linkages, the provision of a refrigerated truck and mentorship from consultants.
He described the partnership with Pick n Pay as a significant milestone for the company and the smallholder farmers it worked with.
“This partnership is more than a supply contract. It is a major milestone that will help improve product delivery while creating dependable markets for smallholder farmers,” Maliti said.
The partnership would enable Skydates to improve its ability to deliver fresh produce consistently while providing farmers with more predictable markets for their products.
