© Copyright 2025. SDRC-NEPAL
SDRC-NEPAL
OUR TEAM
OUR EXECUTIVE TEAM MEMBERS
Bishnu Kumar Shrestha
he/him
Capacity Building, Planning, M&E, Learning and Accountability Expert
Bishnu Kumar Shrestha brings over 27 years of extensive experience in rural and community development programs across Nepal. He holds dual master’s degrees in Rural Development and Sociology from Tribhuvan University, complemented by a B.Sc. in Agriculture from the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Sciences (IAAS), Rampur, Tribhuvan University, Nepal.
Currently serving as Senior Coordinator at Stromme Foundation Nepal since 2017, Bishnu has demonstrated exceptional leadership in monitoring, evaluation, and capacity building. His professional journey spans prestigious organizations including DFID-funded projects, USAID contractors, HELVETAS Nepal, and various bilateral development initiatives.
Core Expertise
- Results-Based Management (RBM) and Rights-Based Approach (RBA)
- Project design, monitoring, and evaluation systems
- Capacity building and organizational development
- Poverty alleviation and microfinance management
- Rural infrastructure development and community mobilization
- Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI)
Mr. Shrestha has successfully managed complex projects worth millions of dollars, including rural access programs, employment creation initiatives, and post-earthquake recovery projects. His technical skills encompass logical framework development, participatory planning tools, and database management systems. He is proficient in multiple languages and has extensive experience in training delivery and stakeholder coordination.
His notable achievements include representing Stromme Foundation Asia region in global digitalization projects, serving as convenor of the Programme Quality Assurance Core Team, and managing adolescent empowerment programs reaching over 45,000 youth. Bishnu’s comprehensive understanding of Nepal’s development landscape, combined with his practical field experience and academic background, makes him an invaluable asset to SDRC-Nepal’s mission. Bishnu can be reach via email at: Bishnu.shrestha@gmail.com
Kaji Ratna Awaley
he/him
M&E Specialist and Data Analysis Expert
Kaji Ratna Awaley is a seasoned monitoring and evaluation professional with over 20 years of experience in development projects across Nepal. He holds a Master’s degree in Natural Resource Management from Pokhara University and a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture from IAAS, Tribhuvan University, with additional specialized training from ILO’s International Training Centre in Turin, Italy.
Currently working as Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officer with the International Labour Organization (ILO) on the BRIDGE Project, Kaji has built an impressive portfolio managing complex development initiatives for major international organizations including UNICEF, USAID, and various Norwegian development organizations.
Core Expertise
- Advanced M&E tools design and implementation
- Database management and statistical analysis using SPSS, MS Access, DevInfo
- Community Score Card (CSC) application for community perception studies
- Results management by the application of Donor Committee for Enterprise Development (DCED) standard tools
- Geographical Information System (GIS) mapping and spatial analysis using ArcGIS
- Mobile survey applications (KoBo Tool, Mwater, Zegeba)
Mr. Awaley’s technical proficiency extends to multiple software platforms and data collection methodologies. He has successfully designed and managed monitoring systems for diverse sectors including labor rights, economic development, food security, and humanitarian response. His experience includes managing the Direct Beneficiary Monitoring System (DBMS) for UN projects and conducting comprehensive baseline studies for major development programs.
Notable achievements include coordinating with government agencies and trade unions for policy advocacy, managing mid-term evaluations of international partnership programs, and providing technical support for post-earthquake humanitarian responses. His multilingual capabilities (Newari, Nepali, English, Hindi, Maithili) and deep understanding of participatory development approaches make him instrumental in bridging technical expertise with community-level implementation. Kaji can be reached through his email at: kaji.awaley@gmail.com
Dr. Gita Khadka
she/her
Social Development and GESI Expert
Dr. Gita Khadka is a distinguished social development professional with over 25 years of experience specializing in Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI), agriculture and livelihoods, and humanitarian responses. She completed her Ph.D. in Sociology from Singhania University, Rajasthan, India (2024), complementing her Master’s in Sociology and Post Graduate Diploma in Women Studies from Tribhuvan University.
Dr. Khadka has served as Social and Gender Expert in the Technical Committee of the National Agricultural Research and Development Fund (NARDF) for two consecutive terms (2014-2020), demonstrating her recognition at the national policy level.
Core Expertise
- Social mobilization and community development
- Gender and development programming
- Climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction
- Monitoring and evaluation of development programs
- Agricultural extension and rural livelihoods
- Humanitarian response coordination
Dr. Khadka’s diverse professional experience spans project coordination, baseline studies, and policy research across rural to mountainous regions of Nepal. Dr. Khadka has successfully led teams in post-earthquake recovery programs, conducted comprehensive gender analysis studies, and designed intervention strategies for marginalized communities.
Recent research contributions include groundbreaking studies on therapeutic well-being of senior citizens through urban gardening, published in reputed international journals. Her work bridges academic research with practical development applications, particularly in exploring plant-human relationships and sustainable urban development.
Dr. Khadka’s multilingual abilities and extensive field experience, combined with her academic credentials and policy-level engagement, position her as a leading expert in Nepal’s social development sector. Her commitment to evidence-based programming and participatory development approaches aligns perfectly with SDRC-Nepal’s mission of sustainable and inclusive development. Gita can be reached through her email at: gtkhadka@gmail.com
Dr. Suresh Sharma
he/him
Agroforestry and Sustainable Agriculture Specialist
Dr. Suresh Sharma is a highly accomplished professional with a Ph.D. in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2023). Currently serving as Agroforestry Project Coordinator at Tuskegee University, Alabama, he brings nearly two decades of experience in sustainable agriculture, regional planning, and natural resource management.
His educational background spans multiple disciplines: M.Sc. in Regional Development Planning from University of Dortmund, Germany and University of the Philippines (2002); M.A. in Anthropology from Tribhuvan University (2005); and B.Sc. in Agriculture from IAAS, Tribhuvan University. This interdisciplinary foundation enables him to approach development challenges holistically.
Core Expertise
- Agroforestry and regenerative agriculture practices
- Climate-smart agricultural technologies and carbon emissions reduction
- Project design and budget management using logical framework approach
- Structural Equation Modeling, Multivariate Analysis and Advanced social statistics
- Community engagement and stakeholder mobilization
- Grant writing and extension program development
Dr. Sharma’s professional journey includes senior positions with the Government of Nepal’s Department of Agriculture, where he led agricultural technology dissemination programs and served as Information officer and media focal person. His international experience includes research fellowships in Mexico and extensive collaboration with US agricultural institutions.
Notable achievements include managing 103+ research and development projects worth millions of dollars funded by the National Agricultural Research and Development Fund (NARDF) of Nepal for over 5 years, training over 215 farmer leaders, and establishing 34 farmers’ groups and 6 agricultural cooperatives. His research publications focus on sustainable agricultural practices, participatory planning, farmer behavior change, and institutional development.
Dr. Sharma’s unique combination of academic excellence, practical field experience, and policy-level engagement makes him an invaluable resource for SDRC-Nepal’s agricultural and environmental programming. His commitment to evidence-based solutions and community-centered approaches aligns with the organization’s mission of promoting sustainable development practices. Suresh can be reached via email at: suresh@sharmasuresh.com and through his website: https://sharmasuresh.com/
Manoj Kumar Thakur
he/him
Agriculture Research and Extension Specialist
Manoj Kumar Thakur is a veteran agriculture professional with over 40 years of distinguished experience in agricultural research and extension services under the Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC). He holds an M.Sc. in Development Communication from G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology (GBPUAT), Pantnagar, India (2002), specializing in Agriculture Extension and Development Communication.
Born in Rajbiraj, known for its historical relics that houses the 14th century Rajdevi temple in Saptari district of Eastern Nepal, Mr. Thakur has dedicated his career to enhancing agricultural productivity and knowledge dissemination across Nepal’s diverse agro-ecological zones. His extensive field experience spans from the Terai plains to the mountainous regions, providing him with comprehensive understanding of Nepal’s agricultural challenges and opportunities.
Core Expertise
- Agricultural research and extension methodology
- Development communication and farmer education
- Field survey design and data analysis & agricultural sustainability tools application
- Project monitoring and evaluation
- Report and proposal writing
- Climate-resilient agriculture practices
Throughout his career with NARC, Mr. Thakur has served as a crucial link between agricultural research institutions and farming communities. His role as Focal Person in the Building Resilience to Climate Hazards project under the World Bank demonstrates his expertise in climate adaptation strategies and disaster risk management in agriculture.
His specialization in development communication has been instrumental in translating complex agricultural research findings into practical, farmer-friendly information. This skill has enabled him to design and implement effective extension programs that have reached thousands of farmers across Nepal.
Mr. Thakur’s four decades of experience provide SDRC-Nepal with invaluable institutional memory and deep understanding of Nepal’s agricultural evolution. His practical knowledge of farmer needs, combined with his research background and communication skills, makes him an essential resource for designing and implementing sustainable agricultural development programs that truly serve rural communities. Manoj can be reached via his email at: Thakur27819@gmail.com
Prakash Kandel
he/him
Socio-Economic Development and Rural Finance Expert
Prakash Kandel brings over 25 years of diverse experience spanning rural development, agricultural finance, and socio-economic research. He holds a Master’s degree in Agricultural Science (Socio-economics of Rural Development) from Georg-August University, Göttingen, Germany (2004), an M.A. in Anthropology from Tribhuvan University (2001), and a PGD in Management from Kathmandu University (2011).
Currently serving as Compliance Chief/Main Branch Manager in Nepal’s agricultural banking sector since 1998, Prakash has been instrumental in extending financial services to rural and marginalized communities. His unique combination of academic training and practical banking experience provides deep insights into rural finance and development challenges.
Core Expertise
- Rural credit and microfinance management
- Socio-economic analysis and impact assessment
- Agricultural project appraisal and monitoring
- Poverty alleviation program design and implementation
- Research methodology and data analysis
- Policy analysis and institutional development
Mr. Kandel has successfully managed numerous baseline studies and impact assessments for major development organizations including Stromme Foundation, Lutheran World Federation, and SDRC-Nepal. His research work spans agricultural market development, women’s empowerment, post-earthquake recovery, and educational programs for marginalized communities.
Notable achievements include his thesis research on group-based lending models, which contributed to improving financial inclusion strategies in Nepal. His extensive work in districts like Darchula, Dailekh, Kalikot, and Pyuthan has directly benefited hundreds of farming families through improved market access and financial services.
His trilingual capabilities and deep understanding of Nepal’s rural economy, combined with his analytical skills and practical banking experience, make him invaluable for SDRC-Nepal’s mission. Prakash’s expertise in bridging financial systems with development outcomes ensures that economic interventions are both sustainable and inclusive, directly supporting rural livelihoods and community development initiatives. Prakash can be reached through his email at: parukand12@gmail.com
SDRC-NEPAL FOUNDERS
Dr. Subash Gurung
Dr. Gita Khadka
Mr. Bishnu Kumar Shrestha
Mr. Prakash Kandel
Mr. Kaji Ratna Awaley
Dr. Chandra Prasad Risal
Dr. Ganga Dutta Acharya
Dr. Suresh Sharma
Mr. Tika Ram Oli
Mr. Anjesh Shrestha
Mr. Govinda Prasad Dahal
Mrs. Nita Gurung
SDRC-NEPAL MEMBERS
Dr. Subash Gurung
Dr. Gita Khadka
Mr. Bishnu Kumar Shrestha
Mr. Prakash Kandel
Mr. Kaji Ratna Awaley
Dr. Chandra Prasad Risal
Dr. Ganga Dutta Acharya
Dr. Tapendra Bahadur Shah
Dr. Suresh Sharma
Mr. Tika Ram Oli
Mr. Anjesh Shrestha
Mr. Govinda Prasad Dahal
Mr. Sujan Shrestha
Mr. Manoj Kumar Thakur
Mr. Lok Shastra Shrestha
Mr. Rabindra Bhakta Pradananga
Mrs. Nita Gurung
Mrs. Nirmala Gurung
TECHNICAL AND ADVISORY WING OF SDRC-NEPAL
Dr. Chandra Risal
Dr. Tapendra Bahadur Shah
Dr. Subash Gurung
Dr. Ganga Dutta Acharya
Dr. Arun Prakash Bhatta
Dr. Arjun Kumar Shrestha
Dr. Prakash Raj Bista
Dr. Rajendra Prasad Mishra
Dr. Govinda Sharma
Dr. Janardhan Khadka
Dr. Rajendra Darai
Mr. Baikuntha Adhikari