Namaste and welcome to my blog

I am Hari Kumar Shrestha from Palungtar Munacipility-6, Gaikhur (Bhotekate), Gorkha, Nepal. I graduated my PhD from National Taiwan Universitym Taipei, Taiwan in 2010. Before this, I worked several years for the Government of Nepal. After my PhD graduation, I did one year post doc at Academia Sinica and National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan. Then, I was involved in different I/NGOs and private sector. Since Nov. 01, 2016; I have been involving at CIMMYT-Nepal.

For Corresponding me

Hari Kumar Shrestha, PhD

International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT)
Kathmandu, Nepal

email: h.k.shrestha@cgiar.org; harikumar.hk@gmail.com; hariks_nepal@yahoo.com; hari_kumar_shrestha@hotmail.com;

Mobile: 977-9845090307



Educational background

PhD (Sept. 2004-January 2010): A grade

Department of Agronomy [Genetically Modified Organism, (GMO) quality control and management], National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan

Thesis: Development of Genetically Modified (GM) Maize (Zea mays L.) Detection Methods and Monitoring GM maize in Nepal

Courses: Plant Cell and Tissue Culture, Molecular Biology, Special Topics in Crop Production, Biotechnology and Pollution Preventation, Climate Change and Environmental Ecology, Plant Gene Transfer, Transgenic Biotechniques, Project Management for Lab. Scientists, Management of Biotechnologically Modified Plants, Special Topics in Crop Physiology and Seminars.


MSc in Seed Science and Technology: First division

University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland UK, August 2000
Thesis: Effect of seed storage and imbibition damage on the seed quality of radish (Raphanus sativus Linn.) and onion (Allium cepa Linn.)


BSc in Agriculture (Agronomy): First division

Tribhuvan University, Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal, Sept. 1992

(Majoring in Agronomy: Seed Science and Technology, and Farming System and Farming System Research)

Research Project: Gender differentiation in labour participation and decision making in rice cultivation


ISc in Agriculture (Plant Science): First division

Tribhuvan University, Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal, 1978

Job experience

Taiwan

1. Designation: Post doc RA (GMO Specialist)

Organization: Department of Agronomy, National Taiwan University

Place: Taipei, Taiwan

Duration: Feb. 14, 2011 to June 30, 2011, & Nov. 25, 2010 to Dec. 31, 2011.

Areas

  • GMO detection and quantification of GM seed materials.
  • PCR and Primer designing for real-time PCR; method development and in-lab validation,
  • DNA extraction, purification, quantification and cloning of DNA,
  • Development and production of plasmid and genomic DNA reference materials,
  • Writing scientific article for publication in the international journal.

2. Designation: Post doc trainee as a research assistantship (plant gene transformation)

Organization: Academia Sinica, Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology

Place: Nangang, Taipei, Taiwan

Duration: June 10 to November 16, 2010

Areas

  • Bacterial artificial chormosome (BAC) libraries.
  • Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of rice and Arabidopsis (2301) with embryogenic callus induced from matured seeds.
  • Agrobacterium-mediated in-planta transformation techniques of rice.
  • Isolation of protoplast (BY-2) from tobacco; determination of its density and viability, and culture and regeneration of plant from it.
  • Bombardment system of transformation (tobacco and onion) and its evaluation.

3. Designation: Graduate Research Assistant

Organization: Department of Agronomy, National Taiwan University

Place: Taipei, Taiwan

Duration: 2004/05, and from Sept. 2007 to June 2010

Major responsibilities

  • GMO detection and quantification on seed, feed and food,
  • PCR and Primer designing for singlet and multiplex PCR (conventional PCR, real-time PCR, overlapping extension PCR, suppression PCR/suppression adapters); method development and in-lab validation,
  • DNA extraction, purification, quantification and cloning of DNA,
  • Development and production of plasmid and genomic DNA reference materials,
  • Report preparation and paper writing
  • Participating in the national as well as international conference, seminar and symposium.


Nepal

1. Designation: Seed System Officer

[Project: Nepal Seed and Fertilizer Project]

Organization: International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT)

Place: Kathmandu, Nepal

Duration: Since Nov. 1, 2016

Major responsibilities:

  • Involve in planning, monitoring/evaluation, report writing, developing guidelines, trainings, workshops, meetings.
  • Working as a member of a committee of hybrid licensing.
  • Sourcing of germplasm and market ready products of 6 crops (rice, maize, lentil, cauliflower, onion and tomato) for public (NARC) and private partners, and facilitating in its testing, data collection, analysis, evaluation, validation and registration of selected varieties.
  • Provide technical backstopping & capacity strengthening of seed partners in trialling/testing, demonstration, seed production, processing, storage and marketing of seed.
  • Ensure effective networking, collaboration and communication with partners of NSAF.
  • Contribute to the visibility of NSAF’s research, partnerships and impacts.

2. Designation: Consultant Programme Expert (Team Leader)

[Project: Development of Business Plan and Operating Manual for Community Managed Seed Processing and Storage Centre (Supported by World Bank)]

Organization: Irrigation and Water Resources Management Project (IWRMP)

Place: Kathmandu, Nepal

Duration: 30 days (ongoing)

Major responsibilities:

  • Develop, present and validate the Inception Report focusing on study methodology, instruments (questionnaire), checklists and approaches for implementation field work and final result, and identify the expectations of the IWRMP and other key stakeholders on the study outputs and outcomes.
  • Field visit to collect data through series of interaction meetings with focus groups, concerned line agencies (research, extension and quality control agencies) and stakeholders,
  • Observation of other seed companies and their processing and storage systems, and
  • Preparation of Business Plan and Operational Manual for the Centre and validation organizing workshop.

3. Designation: Consultant Programme Expert (Team Leader)

Projects: 1. Mid-term Evaluation of Dhading District Community Development Project supported by FIDR Japan: 45 days.

2. Improving Livelihood of Farmers through Environmentally Harmonizing in the Hill Areas of Sindhuli District Project supported by GLM Institute Japan: 30 days.

3. Final Evaluation of Samarth-Vegetable Subsector Project (SVSP) in the Tanahun, Kaski, Syanja, Palpa, Kapilvastu and Rupandehi Districts supported by IDE Nepal: 30 days.

Organization: Social Welfare Council

Place: Kathmandu, Nepal

Major responsibilities: (Final Evaluation of Project)

  • Exploring the level of progress/changes made by the project and analyze the extent to which the achievements have supported the program goals and their objectives,
  • Focus group discussion for generating qualitative data,
  • Evaluating the project effectiveness-longitudinal effect and continuity of the project activities/services as well as the scope and extent of the institutionalization of the project,
  • Exploring the cost effectiveness of the project activities,
  • Identifying the target and level of achievements as specified in the project agreement,
  • Exploring the coordination between the concerned line agencies in the project districts,
  • Finding out the income and expenditure in compliance with the project agreement and proportion of programmatic and administrative cost incurred by the project,
  • Examining the financial regularities/disciplines in accordance with the prevailing Rules and Regulations and fix assets purchased in duty free privileges and locally, and
  • Assessing the good lessons to be replicated in other projects and aspects to be improved in the days ahead.

4. Designation: Senior Agriculture Expert (SAE)

Organization: Resource Identification and Management Society-Nepal (RIMS-Nepal)

Place: Kalanki, Kathmandku, Nepal

Duration: From Feb. 1, 2015 to January 31, 2016

Major responsibilities:

  • RIMS’ Focal person in
    • Home Garden Project, Phase IV funded by Swiss Development Corporation (SDC).
    • Agriculture Component of PAHAL Project funded by USAID/Mercy Corps respectively.
    • Initiative for Climate Change Adaptation (ICCA) project funded by USAID.

· Vegetable production; market situation analysis, and management, establishment of collect centres.

· Quality seed production and management system for enhancing the living standard of poor, vulnerable, marginalized, disadvantaged and women farmers.

· Planning, preparation of detailed implementation plan (DIP), monitoring and evaluation (M&E), data collection and report writing of project activities in different districts, organization of workshops in collaboration with joint venture partner.

· Co-ordinating among different line agencies and stakeholders.

5. Designation: Seed Expert (Team Leader)

(Project: ‘Strengthening Nepalese Seed Industry through Facilitating Seed Regulation, Enhancing Private Sector Participation and Variety/Registration Process’ - A USAID funded project through IFPRI)

Organization: Institute for Integrated Development Studies (IIDS)

Place: Mandikatar, Kathmandu, Nepal

Duration: 30 days (intermittent) commencing since 23 July, 2014

Major responsibilities:

  • Conducting and managing the project work and submitting deliverables to IIDS,
  • Finalizing and endorsing of nine guidelines and directives (Seed Sampling Techniques; Seed Testing; Crop Inspectors appointment and rights and duties; Seed Certification; Laboratory Registration and working procedures; Destroying of ceased seed; Seed Compensation; Seed Registration & Seed Entrepreneurs Registration and Monitoring) needed for effective implementation of newly approved Seed Regulations 2069,
  • Technical leadership for the supervision of other team members; quality control and timelines of all deliverables; logistic plan, meeting, focus group discussion for generating qualitative data, workshop and report preparation; serve as a primary contact point for the study team to IIDS and IFPRI,
  • Leading and making presentation to IFPRI and other stakeholders on the findings, conclusions, and recommendation of the study

6. Designation: Executive Director

Organization: Asta-Ja Research and Development Centre

Place: Kathmandu, Nepal

Duration: From July 17 to March 22, 2014

Major responsibilities:

· Ensure the overall administrative and financial responsibilities of Asta-Ja RDC as well as support the Asta-Ja Movement and Co-operative.

· Conduct research and developmental activities about Asta-Ja.

· Programme planning, monitoring, evaluation and reporting.

· Ensure that the programme strategy will be applied through the implementation of all activities in line with the goals and objectives of Asta Ja RDC.

· Work as a program official representative in the national/international agencies in Nepal.

· Supervise the work of all the staff working within the centre.

· Take personal responsibility for the overall performance of the programme as well as ensuring that all the financial and technical reports are accurate, complete and disseminated in due course of time.

· Coordinate with all the line agencies nationally and internationally.

· Propose the agendas in cooperation with concerned staff and board members.

· Implement all the decisions made by the Executive Board.

7. Designation: Dept. Head

Organization: Department of Research and Development

Health, Education, Agriculture and Development Society

Place: Gongbu, Samakhushi, Kathmandu, Nepal

Duration: From Sept. 30, 2012 to Dec. 31, 2015

Major responsibilities:

· Chief of the Department of Research and Development of HEADS-Nepal;

· Coordinator of the HEADS Natural Disaster Rescue and Relief Committee with an overall administration and financial responsibilities in the committee.

· Planning, monitoring, evaluating and reporting of the program;

· Develop training modules and provide training to people in agriculture;

· Baseline survey for rural agriculture development program;

· Co-ordination among different division under this department as well as with other stakeholders, and

· Help to improve nutritional quality of food for rural people home garden to improve their living standard.

8. Designation: Researcher/Consultant

(Nepal Seed Market Study and Boarder Seed Trade Survey)

Organization: Seed Entrepreneurs’ Association of Nepal (SEAN)

Place: Kalimati, Kathmandu, Nepal

Duration: From May 1, to Sept. 15, 2012 (USAID funded project)

Major responsibilities:

· Analysis of seed situation of Nepal,

· Designing, pretesting and finalization of questionnaires,

· Data collection from different stakeholders (seed traders, all plant quarantine offices in Nepal, Custom offices of boarder areas, some farmers) and

· Data analysis and preparation of report.

9. Designation: Seed Regulation Consultant

Organization: Nepal Economic, Agriculture and Trade (NEAT) Activity/USAID

Place: Jawalakhel, Lalitpur/Kathmandu, Nepal

Duration: From Dec.2011 to April 2012

Major responsibilities:

· Analysis of seed rules and regulations of Nepal and neighboring countries, such as India, China, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Taiwan, Vietnam;

· Preparation of simplified seed registration guidelines, and

· Preparation of compensation guidelines for farmers against to seed failure and misinformation of seed.

10. Designation: Seed Development Officer

Organization: Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MoAC)

Seed Quality Control Centre (SQCC)

Place: Harihar Bhawan, Lalitpur/Kathmandu, Nepal

Duration: from 27 Dec. 2001 to 2005

Major responsibilities:

· Prepared draft of ‘Seed Traders’ Registration System in Nepal’ (nowadays, it is compulsory for seed registration in Nepal).

· Counterparts of Korea International Corporation Agency (KOICA) volunteer.

· Study of seed quality issues in the market.

  • Preparation of seed database and guidelines for seed/variety and seed traders' registration.
  • Introduced Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability (DUS) test first time in Nepal. Nowadays, it is compulsory for variety release and registration system in Nepal.
  • Testing Grow-out test in Nepal.
  • Designed training course, and worked as a facilitator/resource person in seed training programs.
  • Resource person for the agricultural program (seed sector) of Nepal TV, Radio Nepal, Agricultural Communication Centre, Central Agricultural Training Centre, Seed Sector Support Projects (DFID/UK), Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), and different other governmental as well as non-governmental organizations.
  • National and regional level seed quality control (involved in the seed quality control of different agronomical and vegetable crops in the field crop production, harvesting, storage and laboratory analysis of seeds for seed certification and truthful labelling).
  • Inspection, monitoring, evaluation and management of varietal, seed traders' and regional or/and district level seed database, analysis of seed database as well as issues of seed quality in the market.

· Program/ budget planning, monitoring, evaluating and preparing and reporting of progresses.

  • Exhibited seed activities in the Nepal Bikash Bazar organized by Nepal Development Forum 2002 in the International Birendra Conference Centre, Ktm. during 4-7 Feb 2002.

13. Designation: ASD Officer

Organization: Department of Agriculture (DOA)

Seed Development and Quality Control Services Section (SDQCS)

Place: Harihar Bhawan, Lalitpur/Kathmandu, Nepal

Duration: From 29 Nov.1996 to 26 Dec. 2001

Major responsibilities:

  • Liaison Officer of Seed Sector Support Project/DFID (HMG/N), Nepal.
  • Field inspection, seed testing and seed certification of seed crops.
  • Seed program planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting.
  • Involved in the programme of National Seed Board (such as participation in the meeting of the Seed Board, minuting of the meetings, working with Seed Act and Seed Regulations, etc.), and FAO (TCP/NEP/6611).
  • Designed and handled training courses as well as resource person for the agricultural program (seed sector) of Nepal TV, Radio Nepal, Agricultural Communication Centre, Central Agricultural Training Centre, Seed Sector Support Projects (DFID/UK), Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), and different other governmental as well as non-governmental organizations.
  • Exhibited seed activities in the Industrial and Development Exhibition at Bhrikuti Mandap, Kathmandu in Feb. 1996 and other activities related to seed programs.

14. Designation: ASD Officer

Organization: DOA, Regional Seed Testing Laboratory (RSTL)

Place (duration): Dhangadhi, Kailali, Nepal (from 27 Oct. 1995 to 28 Nov.1996)

Bhairahawa, Rupandehi, Nepal (from 27 Dec.1993 to 26 Oct. 1995)

Major responsibilities:

  • Seed testing, seed certification, field inspection of seed crops, and seed store inspection.
  • Inspection & monitoring of seed multiplication programs.
  • Seed program planning, report writing. Resource person in different seed related training programs, and other office activities.

15. Designation: Asst. Agriculture Botanist

Organization: Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC)

Agriculture Botany Division, Seed Research Section

Place: Khumaltar, Lalitpur/Kathmandu, Nepal

Duration: From May 1993 to 26 Dec.1993

Major responsibilities:

  • Seed testing, seed research, seed certification, field inspection of seed crops, and seed store inspection.
  • Inspection and monitoring of district seed multiplication programmes, seed programme planning and report writing.

16. Worked as a Junior Technician under different organization of the Department of Agriculture from Aug. 1982 to May 1993.

Major responsibilities

  • Agriculture extension and seed research activities.

Professional training activities

Training on Regulations of Hazard Communication and Labelling on Dangerous and Harmful Materials. National Taiwan University, Conference Room 3, NTU Main Campus, May 1, 2009 (98 Academic Year).

Mid-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Logical Framework (LOGFRAME) Approach. Central Agriculture Training Centre (CATC), Lalitpur, Nepal, 13-17 Oct. 2003.

Intellectual Property Rights in Agriculture. National Seed Board, Seed Sector Support Project and Agriculture Entrepreneurs' Centre, Lalitpur, Nepal, 2-6 June 2003

Training of Trainers (TOT). Central Agriculture Training Centre (CATC), 24 March to 4 April 2002.

Basic in service training on Agricultural Planning and Management. Central Agriculture Training Centre (CATC), 15 Jan. to 27 Feb. 2002.

Seed Certification and Seed Law Enforcement. Seed Science and Technology Division, IARI, New Delhi, India, 3 March to
2 April 1997.

Administration and Accounting System. Ministry of General Administration, Training Division, Bhairahawa Nepal, 15 Nov 1986 to 29 Feb 1987.

One Month long training on "District Level Program Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation". Organised by the Agricultural Projects Services Centers (APROSC), Kathmandu and FAO, Rome in Pokhara, Nepal (1984/ '85).

More than 10 other trainings related to Seed Science and Technology, and Agronomy.

Papers and Publications

Shrestha, HK, Hwu, K-K, and Chang, M-C. 2010. Development of genetically modified (GM) maize (Zea mays L.) in seed samples from Nepal. African Journal of Biotechnology 9(34): 5581-5589

Shrestha, HK; Hwu, K-K, and Chang, M-C. 2010. Advances in detection of genetically modified crops by multiplex polymerase chain reaction methods. Trends in Food Science and Technology (in press, doi:10.1016/j.tifs.2010.06.004).

Shrestha, HK; Hwu, K-K; Wang, S-J; Liu, L-F, and Chang, M-C. 2008. Simultaneous detection of eight genetically modified maize lines using a combination of event- and construct-specific multiplex-PCR technique. Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry 56: 8962–8968 (http://pubs.acs.org/cgi-bin/article.cgi/jafcau/2008/56/i19/pdf/jf800501z.pdf).

Shrestha, HK; Hwu, K-K, Wang; S-J, Liu, L-F, and Chang, M-C. 2008. Development of a combination of event- and construct-specific multiplex-PCR technique for the detection of eight genetically modified maize (Abstract paper). First Global Conference of GMO Analysis. Joint Research Centre, European Commission, Villa Erba, Como, Italy, 78(http://gmoglobalconference.jrc.ec.europa.eu/docs/BOA%20Final.pdf).

Poster available online: http://gmoglobalconference.jrc.ec.europa.eu/2008/Posters/T.2.21%20SHRESTA.pdf

Shrestha, HK [President (2005-2006)/NTUFSA]. Some problems and issues of foreign students. National Taiwan University (website: http://www.alum.ntu.edu.tw/read.php?num=47&sn=1046&check).

Shrestha, HK; Nepali, SB; Gurung, CB; and Lal, KK. 2004. Vegetable seed production, supply and quality control situation in Nepal. Fourth National Workshop on Horticulture, Nepal Agricultural research Council, Singha Durbar Plaza, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Shrestha, HK; Mishra GK, and Shrestha, KD. 2004. Chino Kheti (Nepali). Krishi Bi-monthly (Number: 5), Agricultural Information and Communication Centre, Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Shrestha, HK; Simkhada, SR, and Raut, KD. 2004. Seed Traders in Nepal: An Information (in Nepali). Seed Quality Control Centre, Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives, Harihar Bhawan, Lalitpur/Kathmandu, Nepal.

Mishra, RK, and Shrestha, HK. 2003. Agriculture and Environment (in Nepali). Agriculture and Environment. His Majesty's Government, Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives, Singha Durbar, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Shrestha, HK, and Adhikary, S. 2003. A study of vegetable seed quality sold by different wholesalers in Kathmandu valley. His Majesty's Government, Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives, Seed Quality Control Centre, Harihar Bhawan, Lalitpur, Nepal.

Shrestha, HK, and Mishra, RK. 2001. Present seed quality status of food grains and management for its promotion. Proceedings of National Workshop on Review of Crop Development Programme during Ninth Five Year Plan and Strategy for Tenth Five Year Plan. Crop Development Directorate, Harihar Bhawan, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Shrestha, HK, and Powell, A. 2000. Effect of seed storage and imbibition damage on the seed quality of radish (Raphanus sativus Linn.) and onion (Allium cepa Linn.) seed. The Journal of Aberdeen University Agricultural Graduates’ Association. University of Aberdeen, King's College, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK 56-57.

Some other papers in Nepali language.

National/international workshops and conferences

Oral and poster presentation

Shrestha, HK; Chang, M-C; Hwu, K-K. 2010. Development of an event-specific plasmid reference materials for the qantitative analysis of ten genetically modified maize based on real-time PCR system (Oral/Abstract). Annual meeting of Agronomy Society of Taiwan (AST), the Challenge and perspect of Agronomy organized by Agronomy Society Taiwan at National Chiayi University, Chiayi, Taiwan, pp 60.

Shrestha, HK; Chang, M-C, Hwu, K-K. 2009. Absence of genetically modified (GM) maize (Zea mays L.) in seed samples from Nepal (Poster). Fourth International Symposium on Recent Advances in Food Analysis (RAFA 2009) jointly organized by Institute of Chemical Technology, Prague; International Association of Environmental Analytical Chemistry, and RIKLT Institute of Food Safety, Wageningen UR in Praue, Czech Republic from November 4-6, 2009.

Shrestha, HK; Chang, M-C, Hwu, K-K. 2009. Risk analysis of genetically modified (GM) maize (Zea mays L.) from seed samples of Nepal (Oral/Abstract). A conference organized by the Agronomy Society of Taiwan (AST) at National Chung Hsing University, Department of Agronomy, Taichung, Taiwan, pp 50.

Shrestha, HK; Hwu, K-K, and Chang, M-C. 2009. Development of construct-and event-specific polymearse chain reaction (mPCR) technique for detection of ten GM maize lines (Oral). The 4th National Taiwan University-Kyoto University Mini-Symposium on molecular and cell biology" jointly organized by National Taiwan University, Taiwan and Kyoto University, Japan at Life Science Building, National Taiwan University on January 08, 2009.

Shrestha, HK; Hwu, K-K; Wang, S-J; Liu, L-F; and Chang, M-C. 2008. Development of a combination of Event- and Construct-Specific Multiplex-PCR technique for the detection of eight Genetically Modified Maize" (Poster). First Global Conference of GMO Analysis. Joint Research Centre, European Commission, Villa Erba, Como, Italy, June 24-27, 2008 (http://gmoglobalconference.jrc.ec.europa.eu/2008/Posters/T.2.21%20SHRESTA.pdf).

Shrestha, HK, and Powell AA. 2001. Imbibition damage in onion (Allium cepa Linn.) and radish (Raphanus sativus Linn.) seed" in the World Seed Conference organised by the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) on June 2001, France (Poster).

Participation

RG6-6th International Rice Genetics Symposium 2009 organized by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) at Manila Hotel, Manila, Philippines from November 16-19, 2009.

International symposium on Taiwan and the world rice situation: the important role of rice international partnerships. Department of Agronomy, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, Sept. 9. 2008.

International symposium of molecular marker-assisted breeding in crops, Department of Agronomy, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, March 27-28, 2008.

International Seed Testing Association Tetrazolium Workshop jointly organised by the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) and National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan on March 1-5, 2001, Taiwan.

Member and membership

Editorial Board Member, Nepal Journal of Biotechnology, Kathmandu, Nepal since Oct. 12, 2011.

Advisor, Model Agriculture Co-operative Farm, Gaikhur, Gorkha, Nepal since Sept. 27, 2011.

Life Time Member, Biotechnology Society of Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal since Sept. 2011.

Global Committee Member, Kapilvastu Day Programme Global Executive Committee since March 2010.

General Secretary, NRNA, Taiwan since June 28, 2009.

Member, Constitution Committee of the National Taiwan University Foreign Students' Association (NTUFSA), Taipei, Taiwan in 2008/2009.

Advisor, National Taiwan University Foreign Students' Association, NTU, Taipei, Taiwan in 2008/2009.

President, Constitution Finalizing Sub-Committee of the Adhoc Committee of the NRNA, Taiwan since Dec. 21, 2008.

Founder Secretary General, Adhoc Committee of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA), Taiwan from Nov. 09, 2008 to June 28, 2009.

Executive committee member (Master of the foreign students floors) of the International Youth Hostel, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, 2007/08.

Former President (2005/06) and Advisor (2006/07) of NTU Foreign Student Association, Taipei, Taiwan.

Founder member, former executive board member, and Co-ordinator of Education and Training Sub-Committee, Janata Multipurpose Co-operative Limited, Sohrekhutte, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Life member and former executive board member (Treasurer) of Agriculture Concern Society-Nepal.

Workshop Proceedings Publication Committee member of Agriculture Concern Society-Nepal in 2002 (http://www.geocities.com/acosnepal/).

Life member of Nepal Agricultural Association, Nepal.

General member of Aberdeen University Alumnus Association, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK.

Other activities

Conducted two days training on DNA isolation and PCR techniques (simplex and multiplex) for people from Taiwan Agriculture Research Institute (TARI) at Phytotron, Department of Agronomy, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, March 19-20, 2007.

Initiated teaching Nepali language first time in Taiwan with the help of Dr. Krishna Kafle (Nepali) and Ruby (Taiwanese) on December 12, 2004.

Worked as an English Website Judgement Committee member of the College of Bio-resources and Agriculture, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, August/September 2006.

Conducted training programs, as a Training Coordinator, on "Seed Quality Control Management" organized by SQCC, Harihar Bhawan, Lalitpur; and Korea International Co-operation Agency (KOICA), Nepal in 2004.

Presented a paper on "Agriculture Inputs Management" in the Workshop of Agriculture Concern Society (ACoS) Nepal on July 5-6, 2003 at Staff College, Lalitpur, Nepal.

Completed and submitted a group project work on "Seed Quality Control Strategy and Management System in Nepal: A Critical Review" to the Central Agriculture Training Centre, Harihar Bhawan, Lalitpur for the partial fulfillment of Basic In-service Training Course on Agricultural Planning and Management, July 2002.

Completed and submitted an individual project work on "A Study on the Germination quality of Vegetable Seeds sold in the Nepalese Seed Market" to the Central Agriculture Training Centre, Harihar Bhawan, Lalitpur for the partial fulfillment of Basic In-service Training Course on Agricultural Planning and Management, June 2002.

Exhibited national level Seed and seed activities in the Nepal Developmental Market organized by Nepal Development Forum 2002 in the International Birendra Conference Centre, Kathmandu during 4-7 Feb 2002.

Conducted training program on "Identification of Rice and Summer Vegetable Crop Varieties" as a Training Coordinator, organized by SDQCS Harihar Bhawan, Lalitpur; and FAO (TCP/NEP/6611) in the year 1997.

Participated internally several times in different seminars, workshops and meetings related to agriculture

Awards and grants

Award/prize from the College of Bioresoruces and Agriculture, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan for the quality PhD thesis articles on the academic year 2009/2010 in June 30, 2010.

Winner of the travel grant to attend the 4th International Symposium on Recent Advances in Food Analysis (RAFA 2009), which was held in Prague, Czech Republic from 4-6 November 2009.

National Taiwan University international degree student merit based outstanding scholarship award 2008/09.

National Taiwan University, College of Bio-resources and Agriculture, Department of Agriculture, Taipei, Taiwan's travel grant for participating in the First Global Conference in the GMO Analysis in Italy in 2008.

Partial travel grant from JRC (organizer) to participate in the First Global Conference in GMO Analysis in Italy in 2008.

National Taiwan University international degree student merit based scholarship (Taiwan) award 2006/07 to 2007/08.

Ministry of Education merit based scholarship (Taiwan) award 2005/06.

The UK Department for International Development (DFID) scholarship for M. Sc. study.

FAO award for one month seed quality control training course in IARI, India.

Silver Jubilee Medal, Nepal, 1996.

In-service study award by the Government of Nepal for B. Sc. Ag. study.

Merit based scholarship by Tribhuvan University Nepal for I. Sc. Ag. study.

Countries visited

Austria, Czech Republic, France, Hungery, India (several times), Italy, Philippines, Slovakia, Taiwan, Thailand and The United Kingdom.

Language ability

Nepali and English : Fluent
Hindi: Good
Chinese : Simple conversation

References

Dr. Alison A. Powell (Chair of the ISTA Vigour Committee)School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen

23 St Machar Drive, Aberdeen, AB24 3UU, UK

Phone: +44 1224 274159

Fax: +44 1224273731

Email a.a.powell@abdn.ac.uk





Associate Professor Dr. Kae-Kang Hwu

Department of Agronomy, National Taiwan University

No. 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, Taiwan R. O. C.

Phone: +886-2-33664761

Fax: +886-2-2362-0879

E-mail: khwu@ntu.edu.tw





Asst. Professor Dr. Men-Chi Chang

Department of Agronomy, National Taiwan University

No. 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, Taiwan R. O. C.

Phone: +886-2-33664771

Email: menchi@ntu.edu.tw





Associate Professor Dr. Krishna Prasad Paudel

Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness

101 Agricultural Administration Building

Louisiana State University

Baton Rouge, LA 70803-5604, USA

Phone: (225) 578-7363

E-mail: kpaude1@agctr.lsu.edu

Website: http://krishnapaudel.com/aboutus.aspx







Professor Yue-ie Hshing (PhD)

Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica

128 Sec. 2, Academia Rd., Nangang, Taipei 11529, Taiwan, R.O.C.

Phone #: 886-2-2787-1170 (office), 886-2-2787-1049 (lab)

Email: bohsing@gate.sinica.edu.tw

Professor Li-Fei Liu

Department of Agronomy, National Taiwan University

No. 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, Taiwan R. O. C.

Phone: +886-2-33664786-101

E-mail: lfliu@ntu.edu.tw





Professor Dr. Warren H.J. Kuo (Dept. Head)

(Seed Science and Technology)

Department of Agronomy, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, Taiwan R. O. C.

Phone: +886-2-33664770

Email: whjkuo@ntu.edu.tw

Website: http://seed.agron.ntu.edu.tw/





Ms. Devaki Shrestha (Former Chief)

Seed Quality Control Centre

Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives

Government of Nepal

Harihar Bhawan, Kathmandu, Nepal

Phone: 977-1-4470810

Email: seed@sdqc.wlink.com.np

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