President's Corner

Dear Valued NAPA Members,

First and foremost, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who coordinated, participated in, and supported the 4th Biennial International Scientific Conference. With a significant number of attendees both in person and virtually, this conference set a new standard. Congratulations to all for your outstanding contributions, including student and professional paper and poster presenters, keynote and invited speakers, essay writers, poem reciters, panelists, moderators, volunteers, the IT team, and sponsors.

I am deeply honored and humbled by the trust the NAPA members have placed in me and the new executive committee to lead the Association of Nepalese Agricultural Professionals of Americas (NAPA) for the next two years. My journey with NAPA began on April 5, 2016, as a student member, and I became a life member in December 2018. Over these past seven years, I have served in various capacities, including on the Research and Capacity Building Committee (RCBC) from 2018 to 2020, as editor-in-chief for the Research and Policy Brief, General Secretary from 2020 to 2022, and Vice President from 2022 to 2024. Reflecting on my contributions, I take pride in having played a role in bolstering NAPA's vision and mission and contributing to its growth and impact.

However, the success and milestones that NAPA has attained so far are a testament to the unwavering support from each and every member. We salute each of you for helping elevate NAPA to its current stature within a short span of eight years. The new executive committee is committed to upholding the values and principles that unite us and to working tirelessly to advance our shared mission.

Leading this esteemed organization is both an opportunity and a challenge. Drawing upon my eight years of experience within NAPA, coupled with my extensive background in public service, non-profit management, and academia, I am prepared to face these challenges head-on. I am eager to sustain the momentum of NAPA’s growth and success.

My vision as President includes several initiatives aimed at advancing NAPA's mission and solidifying its position as a dynamic non-profit organization dedicated to sustainable development. These initiatives include:

• Conducting a census of agricultural professionals of Nepali roots across the Americas and globally to better understand their expertise and contributions, with regular updates.
• Pursuing external grants to support NAPA initiatives.
• Seeking guidance and input from seasoned professionals to further strengthen NAPA.
• Continuing the GJAAS and research and policy briefs.
• Enhancing accounting and record-keeping systems.
• Ensuring transparency in financial management and growing an Endowment Fund.
• Cultivating professional partnerships with other professional organizations globally, including in the U.S and Nepal.
• Developing a dashboard to showcase NAPA's activities, including membership data and research programs.
• Improving the efficiency of membership application and approval processes; and actively engaging with new students to increase NAPA's membership base.
• Enhance the research mini-grant program.
• Energizing and mobilizing NAPA's committees for greater impact.
• Integrating a news section on the NAPA website, starting a communication committee, and improving NAPA’s visibility.

As I step into this role, I am keenly aware of the responsibilities and challenges that lie ahead. However, I am also filled with optimism and enthusiasm for the opportunities that await us. Together, we can build on our past achievements and drive forward member-driven initiatives that will elevate NAPA to new heights.

We eagerly anticipate meeting you, listening to your ideas, and collaborating to overcome any obstacles we may face. Our collective strength, creativity, and passion are the keys to our success. I am confident that by working as a united team, we can accomplish many great things.

In closing, I want to reiterate my gratitude for this incredible opportunity. I am excited to embark on this journey with you and lead NAPA into a future filled with promise and possibility. Thank you once again for your trust and support. Let us make the coming years our best yet.

NAPA leadership always welcomes new ideas, suggestions, and critiques. Please feel free to write to us at napa@napaamericas.org. 

Sincerely,

Ramjee P Ghimire, PhD

President
Association of Nepalese Agricultural Professionals of Americas (NAPA)
NAPA email: napa@napaamericas.org
NAPA website; NAPA Facebook