Kamal Prasad Aryal

Project Coordinator BRACE
Strategic Group 2: Shaping Green and Resilient Mountain Economies
SG2 – Action Area C (AAC): Adapting and Transforming Livelihoods and Economies

My role at ICIMOD

I work as an agrobiodiversity analyst under the Ecosystem Services Theme. My research focuses on crop diversity (cultivated and wild and non-cultivated), mountain agriculture, organic agriculture, ethnobotany, agrobiodiversity, and climate change adaptation. I am also involved in capacity building of researchers and development workers in participatory natural resources management planning. I occasionally facilitate trainings on multistakeholder dialogue, and participatory rural appraisal tools and techniques for researchers. I also coordinate with partners for organic agriculture activities under RMS Bhutan and crop diversity research in HI-LIFE pilot sites.

Kamal Prasad Aryal

Q:

How do you protect the pulse of the planet?

A:

To help protect the pulse of the planet, I am involved in efforts to promote and conserve crop diversity for mountain communities. Our research looks at how traditional crops/plants contribute to food and nutritional security of mountain communities. Climate change is a serious concern for mountain communities, impacting crop production and leading to genetic erosion. I do hope at the regional level, our action research will identify the drivers of change (both natural and anthropogenic) and strategies to cope with such changes so that the negative impacts can be minimized.

Q:

What is your favourite part of the work you do at ICIMOD?

A:

Working in a regional organization with experts from across the globe is an enriching experience for me. I enjoy working with my team and other multiple actors involved in designing and implementing our projects. ICIMOD has a great learning environment and this has steadily enhanced my professional skills.

Q:

What are you passionate about?

A:

I am passionate about learning new things every day. I am also passionate about supporting communities through research and development work and translating knowledge into practice.

Q:

My qualifications

A:

Currently I am doing my PhD in agrobiodiversity at Tribhuvan University of Nepal. My research focuses on agricultural crop diversity and its contribution to livelihoods. I also have an MSc in biodiversity from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Sweden. My research focused on wild and non-cultivated edible plants of Nepal.

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