Reconnecting with Roots in Nepal

As part of Winrock’s Farmer-to-Farmer program focus on strengthening agriculture education and training, volunteer Anil Shrestha completed an assignment with the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS) in Nepal, training faculty and researchers on modern statistical tools and their applications in agricultural sciences.

Anil’s assignment inspired him, and his sentiments below inspire us.

“It was encouraging to see a young generation of Nepali students and faculty members eager in learning. The group at each location was very responsive, attentive, respectful, appreciative, and patient. The groups were also very interactive and made me as a trainer feel very welcome. Several contacts were developed and interesting problems in agriculture were shared which made me think that there were lots of opportunities in Nepal in my own field. As a result, I have now started think that I should spend my sabbatical leave in Nepal. The opportunity to interact with the students and faculty has encouraged me to plan for my sabbatical leave in Nepal instead of another place. Hopefully, I will be able to work with IAAS for arrangements for my sabbatical leave. I have expressed my interest to the Dean of IAAS and willingness to serve on student thesis and dissertation committees. The Dean was very open to this idea.

I am originally from Nepal and have visited the country a few times in the last 20 years but had never looked at the country from a professional view; but thanks to this opportunity through the [USAID-funded] Farmer-to-Farmer program, I have developed professional contacts and have started to see how I can contribute to agricultural development in Nepal. Therefore, my sincerest thanks to this USAID/Winrock Farmer-to-Farmer program for reconnecting me with my roots from a professional view. As a result of this assignment, I have promised myself to visit Nepal more often and contribute as much as I can to agriculture development in Nepal.”

We love to hear stories like this, of lasting connections forged as a result of Farmer-to-Farmer. What a great example of why we feel so strongly about the value of this program!

Thank you Anil!