‘Mato’ expands retail network with eighth store in Lalitpur, Strengthening market access for farmers

KATHMANDU: Janata Agro and Forestry Limited (JFL) has expanded its consumer retail footprint with the launch of the eighth outlet and warehouse of its flagship brand ‘Mato’ in Thaiba, Lalitpur, reinforcing its stated commitment to providing farmers with a reliable and organized market platform.

In a press statement issued on Monday, JFL said the new facility has been established as a symbolic and operational extension of its pledge to support farmers by ensuring easier market access for their produce through a structured value-chain approach.

The newly launched store and warehouse span an area of 15,000 square meters and have been developed at an investment of approximately Rs 50 million. According to the company, the facility will also function as a processing center equipped with modern machinery and integrated systems aimed at improving efficiency, quality control, and post-harvest handling.

JFL said the Maato brand focuses on promoting locally produced goods that are cultivated without the use of chemical pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, or artificial preservatives. The company claims this approach allows it to supply consumers with products known for freshness, purity, and traceability.

In the statement issued by JFL Chairman Pawan Kumar Golyan, the company emphasized its inclusive business model, noting that priority is being given to women entrepreneurs. Through the Maato platform, women-led enterprises will be provided with purchase guarantees, a move the company says is intended to encourage inclusive entrepreneurship and long-term sustainability within the agricultural ecosystem.

The Thaiba facility is also expected to serve as a functional workspace for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) engaged in agro-based activities. JFL said this will help enhance efficiency, effectiveness, quality standards, and market reach across the entire agricultural value chain.

JFL, a publicly listed company, describes itself as having a long-term commitment to transforming and empowering Nepal’s agriculture and forestry sectors. The company said its operations are anchored in national interest, sustainable development principles, and value-driven growth.

According to the statement, JFL has been prioritizing infrastructure development based on high-value agricultural products and organic farming practices, with the objective of generating sustained economic impact for farming communities. The company reiterated that farmer upliftment and assured procurement of agricultural produce remain its core and longstanding commitments.

JFL also noted that it is working to build a resilient supply chain by collaborating with international development agencies, private-sector stakeholders, and research institutions, with the goal of empowering farmers across the country. All of the company’s investments, it said, are aligned with generating positive outcomes linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The expansion of the Maato retail network comes amid growing demand for safe, traceable, and locally sourced agricultural products in Nepal’s urban markets, as well as increased policy focus on strengthening domestic agricultural value chains and reducing post-harvest losses.