LI-BIRD and Agriculture and Forestry University (AFU), Rampur have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on April 9th, 2023. This collaboration aims to explore new research areas and improve the quality of research, education and extension in the field of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resource Management.
Prof. Dr Arjun Kumar Shrestha (AFU) and Dr Balaram Thpa (LI-BIRD) exchanging the signed MoU in Pokhara, Kaski.
The partnership between LI-BIRD and AFU will focus on designing and conducting collaborative Research and Development (R&D) works to generate new knowledge and evidence in areas such as Agro-biodiversity and Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS), climate-smart agriculture, agro-ecological and organic farming, pollination management, soil, water and crop management, agroforestry, livestock and fishery farming, among others.
The MoU also includes creating opportunities and providing financial support to faculties and graduate students for their research, thesis, and internships. The partnership will document evidence and mainstream proven research methods, models and approaches through evidence-based advocacy and integration into teaching and extension programmes. Moreover, knowledge sharing and management will be facilitated through the exchange of human resources, capabilities, networking, and various knowledge repositories. The two institutions will collaborate on other organizational initiatives and activities of mutual interest, such as establishing an innovation center, seed villages, digital pollination library, community seed banks and climate smart villages.
Speaking at the MoU signing event, LI-BIRD’s Executive Director Dr. Balaram Thapa shared “LI-BIRD and AFU have previously collaborated on research and development in agriculture and NRM. This MoU will further strengthen strategic collaboration between LI-BIRD and AFU. LI-BIRD is delighted to be a part of this partnership and is committed to making every effort to turn the MoU into a reality” .
Prof. Arjun Kumar Shrestha, Director, Directorate of Research and Extension (DoREX), AFU in his closing remarks shared ‘AFU and LI-BIRD have carried out partnership in the past as well. The current MoU provides us space to work together and better contribute in the Agriculture and NRM sector. I wish that the relationship between AFU and LI-BIRD shall be productive and we can do the work as agreed in the MoU.’
Mr. Bharat Bhandari, Program Development Director of LI-BIRD facilitated the MoU signing event which was witnessed by Dr. Kedar Devkota and Mr. Rakesh Acharya from AFU and LI-BIRD’s Executive Board, Management Committee members.
