Mumbai, May 12 (IANS) Tata Chemicals Ltd has launched a joint venture with Irish agri-products distribution firm Total Produce, the company announced Monday. The new business to business (B2B) firm, Khet-Se Agripoduce India, will be involved in procurement, packaging and distribution of fresh fruits and vegetables. The JV started its services from Malerkotla, Punjab.

The firm intends to open its second distribution centre in Mumbai in six months.

Tata Chemicals managing director and the JV’s chairman Homi Khusrokhan said the operations of the first centre will cater to the requirements of Ludhiana and Patiala where “the centre has the facility of sorting, grading and packing of all fresh produce”.

Total Produce (corporate development) managing director Eugene Caulfield said Tata Chemicals has strong ties with the Indian agrarian sector and the new firm would be using the network of Tata Kisan Sansar distribution centres. “This will help Khet Se in having an advantage of procuring fresh agri-produce,” he said.

Khet Se chief executive G.R. Goves said the firm will help farmers develop their skills and wants to partner with small retailers and help them in developing competencies.