Freshktm plans to add outlets in Kathmandu

By A Staff Reporter, Kathmandu, Feb. 18: Freshktm has been cultivating pesticide-free vegetables and fruits for the past few years. 

It has been producing organic vegetables, fruits, rice, corn, wheat, mustard and lentils on its farm that spreads over 100 bighas of land in Rautahat district. 

It has been selling its produce at its outlets in Ratopul, Kathmandu and in Jhamshikhel and Bhaisepati, Lalitpur.

Freshktm is committed to producing a wide variety of high-quality, nutritious vegetables and grains, free from harmful pesticides and chemicals, said Sandip Adhikari, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Freshktm Private Limited.

Similarly, it aims to provide nutritious and affordable food to every kitchen in Nepal and reduce post-harvest loss and waste. 

Freshktm has developed a safe farming system by adopting integrated nutrient management and integrated pest management, said Adhikari.

Freshktm has succeeded in implementing an integrated farming model, where it combines crop cultivation, livestock rearing and organic waste management into a holistic and interconnected system.

Founded in 2020, Freshktm, Nepal’s first and only end-to-end fresh supply chain, is now working with about 10,000 farmers who are using modern technology to produce organic food, according to Adhikari. 

“Our farm produces more than 25 varieties of vegetables, in addition to wheat, mustard and pulses. Around five tonnes of vegetables produced from the farm are being supplied to the Kathmandu Valley every day,” he said.

The farm has started research on how this farming method, which is generally considered expensive, can be done at a low cost by producing its compost, vermicompost and organic microorganisms for healthy production.

"Freshktm farm, which has been creating a zero-waste ecosystem, has provided jobs to more than 100 people. We use the remaining parts of the crops to feed the livestock, thus reducing waste and providing nutrition," he said. 

As cost is a major problem in agriculture, Freshktm is producing its own compost, vermicompost and microorganisms using the dung and organic resources of more than 250 buffaloes on the farm, he added.

This increases not only the fertility of the soil but also ensures healthy production by eliminating the excessive use of chemical fertilisers, Adhikari said.

 This has also contributed to reducing the cost of production.

Freshktm to expand outlets

Adhikari said that products such as beans, carrots, beets, chilli, tomatoes, cauliflower, cabbage, bitter gourd, mustard leaf, cucumbers, wheat, mustard oil and various types of pulses produced by Freshktm are available daily at its outlets in the Kathmandu Valley.

Addressing consumers' demand for organic vegetables, Freshktm is now expanding its outlets in various locations in the Kathmandu Valley. 

He said that preparations for opening Freshktm outlets in new locations have reached the final stage. 

According to him, they are planning to open outlets in Baneshwor, Bouddha and Lazimpat.