The 25-Year-Old Driving a Meat Industry Revolution in Nepal
The Doers podcast recently welcomed Keshma Thapa, a young entrepreneur whose journey from studying in the UK to leading one of Nepal's largest meat processing units is a powerful narrative of vision and determination. Her story isn't just about business; it's about challenging conventional wisdom, confronting systemic issues, and fostering a deep-seated hope for Nepal's future, all before her 26th birthday. She returned to Nepal during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, inspired by her father's long-standing involvement in the feed and hatchery industries and his realization that the traditional live bird trade was unsustainable.
A Vision Born Amidst Crisis
Keshma's return to Nepal was not a retreat but a strategic move. While in the UK during the pandemic, she researched business opportunities and discovered a compelling truth: meat processing units rarely incur losses. This insight, combined with her desire to contribute to her home country, propelled her to embrace her father's proposal to build a modern processing plant.
The initial research phase for KB Agro lasted about a year and a half, involving extensive online investigation and discussions with machine suppliers from Europe and India. Her father, with a civil engineering background, managed the construction, while Keshma, still completing her master's in the UK, handled machine imports, bank financing, and letters of credit. This was her first venture into such complex operations, a leap of faith she credits to strong support and effective coordination.
Building a Modern Meat Processing Giant
KB Agro started its trial operations in late 2023 and began supplying to the market in early 2024. It quickly established itself as a major player, currently processing 10,000 kilograms of meat daily, with a potential to scale up to 40,000 kilograms of dressed meat and 60,000 kilograms including by-products. The company directly employs around 120 people.
A key differentiator for KB Agro is its commitment to hygiene and advanced technology. Unlike traditional methods where chickens are processed manually, often in unhygienic conditions, KB Agro uses an automated plant with an air chilling system: the only one of its kind in Nepal. This process ensures that chicken, initially at 30 degrees, is chilled to 4 degrees and packaged in a controlled environment before distribution. This meticulous approach allows for the creation of frozen meat products that can be safely consumed for up to two years.
The Hidden Costs of Unregulated Meat
Keshma highlighted the stark reality of Nepal's meat market, where a significant portion of consumption still relies on unhygienic practices. In 2016, Kathmandu Valley alone consumed 300,000 kilograms of meat daily, a figure estimated to have risen to 400,000 kilograms today. Shockingly, 20,000 kilograms of this daily consumption in 2016 comprised "slaughtered chicken" birds that
