Home SSCs Agriculture Sector Profile of Agriculture Sector Skill Committee Members

Profile of Agriculture Sector Skill Committee Members

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Dr. Hom Bahadur Basnet

Chairperson

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Dr. Hom Bahadur Basnet is a senior veterinarian, academic leader, and livestock expert with decades of experience in Nepal’s agriculture and animal science sector. He has served in multiple high-level academic and administrative roles, including Dean of the Faculty of Animal Science, Veterinary Science and Fisheries at Agriculture and Forestry University (AFU). His work spans teaching, research in veterinary microbiology, particularly avian diseases, and leadership of two commercial enterprises: Kalyan Breeding and Research Farm Pvt. Ltd. and Bhirkuti Agro Avian Pvt. Ltd.

He contributes extensively to national agriculture and livestock development through sectoral bodies and professional associations. Dr. Basnet is the Chairperson of the Agriculture Sector Skill Committee under NVQS, CTEVT, and has previously served as President and Vice President of the Nepal Poultry Entrepreneurs Forum. He holds an MS–PhD in Veterinary Microbiology from Seoul National University and a Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry from Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University. Beyond academia, he is deeply engaged in social development and has delivered over 570 motivational sessions nationwide.

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Mr. Shiva Sundar Shrestha

Member

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Mr. Shiva Sundar Shrestha is a senior agriculture development professional with extensive experience in agricultural administration, extension, and program leadership. He has served in several high-level government positions, including Officiating Secretary, Joint Secretary, and Director General of the Department of Agriculture, and has led major national and donor-funded programs focused on agricultural extension and rural development.

He remains actively involved in sectoral associations and advisory roles. Mr. Shrestha is a Member of the Agriculture Sector Skill Committee under NVQS, CTEVT, President and founding executive member of the Nepal Agriculture Federation, and Past Chairperson of the Governing Board of the SAARC Agriculture Centre. He holds an M.Sc. in Agricultural Extension from Haryana Agricultural University and a B.Sc. in Agriculture from the University of Udaipur. He has received specialized training in Japan, the United States, and Nepal, contributing to policy engagement and institutional strengthening across the agriculture sector.

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Ms. Sunita Nhemaphuki

Member

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Ms. Sunita Nhemaphuki is an innovative agriculture entrepreneur and the founder/CEO of R&D Innovative Solution Pvt. Ltd., a company operating across the full agriculture value chain. Since 2012, she has promoted enterprise development, digital agriculture finance—including the Kisan Credit Card model—and capacity-building programs for MSMEs and farming communities.

She is deeply engaged in sectoral development and policy dialogue. Ms. Nhemaphuki is a Member of the Agriculture Sector Skill Committee, Board Member of the Agricultural Enterprise Center, Vice President of the Nepal Agri-Marketing Entrepreneurs Association, and Chairperson of the Agro Organic Cooperative. She is currently pursuing a PhD at Tribhuvan University, with research focused on sustainable agriculture and enterprise models, and has international exposure from learning visits to India and South Korea.

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Mr. Radha Krishna Sapkota

Member

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Mr. Radha Krishna Sapkota is a respected dairy entrepreneur with long-standing experience in dairy enterprise management and agricultural business. As the immediate past President of the Nepal Dairy Association, he has championed modern dairy practices, quality enhancement, and productivity improvement for farmers and dairy enterprises across Nepal.

He contributes to sectoral and economic development through various institutional roles. Mr. Sapkota is a member of the Local Economic Development Committee at FNCCI and a Member of the Agriculture Sector Skill Committee under NVQS, CTEVT. He holds a Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) and has completed national and international trainings related to agriculture and dairy management, reinforcing his commitment to professional excellence and sustainable dairy sector growth.

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Mr. Indra Mani Bhusal

Member

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Mr. Indra Mani Bhusal is an experienced aquaculture entrepreneur engaged in commercial fish farming since 2005, specializing in fish nursery management and table fish production. His enterprise contributes significantly to local food supply, income generation, and the advancement of community-based fisheries.

He actively participates in professional and community institutions, having served as Secretary of the Pragatinagar Drinking Water and Sanitation Consumers Committee and as Assistant Secretary of the Nepal Fisheries Entrepreneurs Association. He is a Central Member of the Nepal Fisheries Development Association and an advisor to the Devchuli Chamber of Industry and Commerce. Mr. Bhusal has completed Intermediate-level education and specialized training in fish farming and fishery enterprise management.

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Mr. Durga Prasad Adhikari

Member

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Mr. Durga Prasad Adhikari is a seasoned seed sector professional with over 30 years of experience in seed enterprise development and agricultural business management. As the Managing Director of SEAN Seed Service Centre Ltd. since 1999, he leads business operations, market development, and coordination with government and donor partners. He has also worked extensively as a consultant in seed market analysis, value chain development, and post-harvest technology.

He contributes actively to national and international agriculture platforms. Mr. Adhikari has served as General Secretary and Executive Member of the Seed Entrepreneurs’ Association of Nepal (SEAN) and represents Nepal in the Asia & Pacific Seed Association (APSA). He is also a member of the National Seed Board. He holds a B.Sc. in Agriculture from IAAS/TU, an M.A. in Sociology, and has completed advanced international training in seed production and technology.

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Mr. Dinesh Raj Mishra

Member

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Mr. Dinesh Raj Mishra is a leading professional in Nepal’s poultry sector with more than 25 years of experience in poultry husbandry, animal health, feed technology, and commercial farming. His expertise spans veterinary medicines, hatchery operations, biosecurity, and integrated poultry production, contributing to the modernization of Nepal’s poultry industry.

He is an active member of several national poultry associations and professional networks. Mr. Mishra currently serves as the General Secretary of the Nepal Poultry Federation and has held leadership roles in the Nepal Veterinary Medicine Importers Association, the Veterinary Chemist and Druggist Association, and the Nepal Feed Industries Association. He holds an MSc in Parasitology and an MA in Anthropology, complemented by extensive international exposure in management, regulation, and poultry innovation.

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Mr. Rajendra Devkota

Member

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Mr. Rajendra Devkota is an agriculture and agribusiness professional with over two decades of experience in agricultural development, consulting, and commercial farming. He has contributed to advancing modern farming practices and promoting Nepalese agricultural and forest-based products internationally, including serving as an authorized inspector for organic certification.

He is engaged in multiple advisory and sectoral roles, serving as a member of the High Task Force under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, the Agriculture Subcommittee of NAST, and the Agriculture Sector Skill Committee. He also advises the National Farmers Group Federation. Mr. Devkota has completed advanced studies in Organic Agriculture and Food Systems in Germany and gained professional experience working with Eurofins-Germany, Chaudhary Group-Denmark, and certification agencies in India.

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Dr. Chiranjibi Prasad Pokharel

Member

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Dr. Chiranjibi Prasad Pokharel is a conservation professional with more than 25 years of experience in wildlife research, protected area management, and biodiversity conservation. As Director at the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), he leads the Department of Protected Areas, Ecosystem, and Conservation Economy, overseeing key national programs in wildlife monitoring and conservation.

He actively contributes to academic and scientific networks through research, publications, and participation in international programs, including the IVLP on Wildlife Conservation. Dr. Pokharel has received national honors such as the “Nepal Bidhya Bhusan-Ka” and holds advanced degrees in zoology, natural resource management, and conservation biology from Tribhuvan University, the University of Life Sciences (Norway), and the University of Ferrara (Italy).

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Dr. Balaram Bhatta

Member

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Prof. Dr. Balram Bhatta is a senior forest ecologist and Head of the Department of Ecology and Environmental Science at the Faculty of Forestry, Agriculture and Forestry University. With more than three decades of experience, he has contributed extensively to forestry research, natural resource management, and academic leadership, including supervising numerous graduate and doctoral students.

He plays an active role in national and international professional bodies. Prof. Bhatta is the Coordinator of the Technical Sub-committee (Forestry) of the National Skill Testing Board and has served as Deputy Director for Research and Extension at the Faculty of Forestry. He holds an MSc from Tribhuvan University and an MSc and PhD in Forest Ecology from Kyoto University under a Japanese Government Scholarship, along with specialized training in forest ecology from the University of Washington.

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Mr. Anup Neupane

Member Secretary

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Mr. Anup Neupane is an Agriculture Instructor (Officer III) at CTEVT with over ten years of experience in agricultural education, training delivery, and community-level livelihood programs. He has taught and coordinated both short- and long-term agricultural courses while supporting the development of practical, skill-based training for farming communities across Nepal.

He has previously worked in multiple development roles, including Programme Officer, Livelihood Officer, and Technical Officer, contributing to local crop conservation, vegetable production, and community mobilization. Mr. Neupane holds an M.Sc. in Agricultural Business Management and a B.Sc. in Agriculture with Distinction and is a certified Master Assessor with additional training in leadership, management, and instructional media development.

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