Mero Kishan is a startup that aims to directly connect farmers and consumers. The goal is to cut out the middlemen with the use of technology, thereby increasing profits for farmers and reducing prices for consumers. 

“The traditional system fails in cold chain and logistic management, particularly on fruits and vegetables,” says Abhinash Silwal, founder of Mero Kishan. “We wanted to address this issue through the use of technology”.

Mero Kishan purchases fruits and vegetables from farmers around Kathmandu Valley and advertises them on the company’s app, website and social media platforms. Clients can then shop online and have the goods delivered at their doors.

The traditional supply chain offers farmers only a small profit because they also have to pay for logistics and transport of goods. Moreover, farm goods often go through a series of middlemen or brokers before actually reaching the market. 

Silwal says both farmers and consumers suffer under the current system.

“Because of the money-hungry brokers, farmers are getting robbed of their profit and consumers are forced to pay more for farm produce,” he says. “Essentially, we wanted to remove the layer of brokers between farmers and consumers.”

The farmers involved with the company sell their goods at a comparatively higher price after deducting transport cost, thus allowing them to keep a decent profit. Once goods are sold to the company, payment is transferred within 12 hours.

“A farmer stands to make around 30 percent more profit with Mero Kishan compared to the mainstream market. Meanwhile, consumers can save up to 20 percent more,” says Silwal.  

The company maintains cold stores around Kathmandu Valley to keep fruits and vegetables fresh. It currently deals in more than 120 types of fruits and vegetables and soon plans to include dairy products in its inventory. Product prices are updated every day. 

Mero Kishan also connects farmers with agricultural experts to solve crop problems and grow produce that are low on pesticides.

Mero Kishan was started in 2019 when the culture of online grocery shopping was still in its infancy. Silwal says business thrived after the onset of the covid pandemic.   

“People wanted to get groceries without having to venture out of their homes, which led them to us,” says Silwal.

Besides ordinary households, Mero Kishan also has  corporate houses, hospitals and restaurants as its  clients. 

The company that started with 10 partner farmers has now more than 70 partner farmers in Kathmandu Valley and other parts of the country. 

“Our plan is to further extend the reach of Mero Kishan and help more farmers across the country. We are also working to produce and brand non-perishable goods on a larger scale,” says Silwal.

Mero Kishan

Establish year: 2019

Founder: Abhinash Silwal

Service location: Kathmandu valley

Price of the product: Varies depending on market

Contact: 014473938

Website: https://merokishan.com/