Hi, I’m
Dr. Himal Pokhrel
Program Manager
Pedong, Kalimpong
Summary
I am a development and agricultural professional with over 15 years of experience in land governance, land rights, sustainable agriculture, horticulture, community development, and livelihood promotion across India and Nepal. My expertise includes tenure security, land literacy, women's empowerment, participatory planning, climate-resilient agriculture, project management, capacity building, policy advocacy, and strengthening local governance and community institutions. I also have a strong research background in agricultural and horticultural crops, greenhouse management, farm and labour management, and orchid tissue culture. I am passionate about sustainable agriculture, land rights, and inclusive development. Through innovative and practical approaches, I work to improve land tenure security, agricultural productivity, livelihoods, and the socio-economic well-being of rural, tribal, and marginalized communities.
Overview
4
Languages
17
years of professional experience
Work History
LandesaKathmandu & Jharkhand
Program Manager
07.2025 - Current
Job overview
- Nepal: Lead and manage land governance and land rights programs, including project planning, implementation, budget management, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting. Provide technical leadership, training, and capacity building to government officials, professionals, and NGO partners. Support policy advocacy, land tenure reforms, and government-led land allocation processes. Ensure quality implementation through technical guidance, field supervision, stakeholder coordination, and strategic oversight.
- Jharkhand: Provide technical leadership for legal land literacy initiatives, guiding project teams in program implementation, government coordination, and stakeholder engagement. Oversee the development and delivery of land rights awareness programs, pre- and post-knowledge assessments, documentation, monitoring, reporting, and quality assurance. Provide field supervision and technical support to ensure effective outreach and impact at the community level.
Community Self Reliance Center (CSRC)Kathmandu
Program Coordinator
08.2024 - 06.2025
Job overview
- Led land allocation and land rights programs, overseeing project planning, budget management, implementation, monitoring, and reporting. Provided technical leadership, training, and capacity building to government officials, local governments, and NGO partners. Supported policy advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and the development of standardized land allocation processes. Ensured quality implementation through technical guidance, field supervision, community engagement, and institutional strengthening initiatives.
LandesaKathmandu
Program Manager
05.2022 - 07.2024
Job overview
- Conducted research and developed evidence-based policy recommendations in collaboration with national and international organizations, strengthened land governance systems and land allocation processes, collaborated with government agencies, local governments, and like-minded organizations, facilitated advocacy and stakeholder engagement, delivered training and capacity-building programs, provided technical assistance and field supervision, promoted community awareness of land rights, and led monitoring, evaluation, documentation, and reporting activities.
PRADANWest Bengal
Capacity Building Coordinator
12.2021 - 04.2022
Job overview
- Led rural development and poverty alleviation programs, managed the Cluster Facilitation Project, coordinated with district and sub-district administrations, Panchayat and Rural Development Departments, and local governments, enhanced rural employment and livelihood opportunities, developed self-reliance models, supported sustainable rural development and community empowerment initiatives, and provided training, mentoring, and capacity-building support to enhance the knowledge and skills of team members.
Govt. of WB, Under Hijli INSPIRATION Siliguri
Agriculture and Water Management Expert
03.2020 - 12.2021
Job overview
- Led livelihood development programs integrating agriculture, horticulture, and natural resource management. Provided technical guidance on pomology, vegetables, field crops, spices, condiments, and floricultural crop production; delivered training on natural farming, organic farming, climate-smart agriculture, and crop diversification; INM; IPM; and strengthened the capacities of farmers and community groups to enhance productivity and livelihoods.
LandesaNorth Bengal
Project Manager- Livelihood
01.2015 - 10.2018
Job overview
- Developed agricultural extension models and livelihood plans for micro-plot recipient families, promoted sustainable farming practices, and delivered training on organic farming, vermicomposting, and crop management. Led women land literacy programs through WBSRLM, facilitated access to government agriculture and livestock schemes, and coordinated with key government departments and institutions to strengthen livelihoods, land rights awareness, and service delivery.
NRC Orchids, ICARSikkim
Research Associate
03.2010 - 10.2014
Job overview
- Collaborated with scientists in orchid research, contributing to experimental design, data collection, analysis, documentation, and technical reporting. Participated in the collection, conservation, characterization, and propagation of orchid germplasm through tissue culture techniques. Conducted training programs and technical demonstrations on orchid production technologies for growers and stakeholders. Developed technical bulletins and extension materials on orchid cultivation and management practices. Managed farm and greenhouse operations, including crop production, labor supervision, and resource management. Provided academic guidance and practical training to B.Sc. Horticulture and agriculture students, supporting research, field activities, and skill development.
BCKV UniversityNadia, WB
Research Fellow
09.2009 - 01.2010
Job overview
- Supported water management and sustainable agriculture programs through demonstrations, farmer training, field data collection, and water and soil analysis. Collaborated with innovative farmers, promoted improved cultivation practices, and assisted in delivering training programs for progressive farming communities.
Education
Visva BharatiShantiniketan, WB
Ph.D. from Horticulture
04.2001
Visva BharatiShantiniketan, WB
Master of Science from Horticulture
04.2001
Agra UniversityAgra, UP
Bachelor of Science from Agriculture
04.2001
SUMIKalimpong, WB
Higher Secondary from Vocational Agriculture
04.2001
SGHSPedong, Kalimpong
Madhyamik Pariksha (Cl-X)
04.2001
Skills
Program and Project Management
Research and Documentation
Land Governance and Land Rights
Sustainable, Organic and Climate Resilient Agriculture
Stakeholder Engagement and Institutional Coordination
Gender -Responsive Community Mobilization, Capacity Building and Livelihood Development
Hands-on Expertise on Orchid Tissue Culture and Micro-propagation
Proficient in Farm Operations, Labour Management and Team Supervision
Skilled in Nursery Management, Crop Production and Greenhouse Operations
Experience in Agricultural Research, Field Trials
Strong Working Knowledge of MS Word, Excel and Power Point
Additional Information
Publications
Research Papers
· Pokhrel, H., & Paul, A. (2022). Effect of Media for in vitro Seed Germination of Vanda coerulea. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 14(1), 180-183.
· Pokhrel, H., & Paul, A. (2022). Effect of Growing Media and Nutrition on Establishment of Vanda coerulea Plantlets During Hardening. International Journal of Plant & Soil Science, 34(15), 84-89.
· Pokhrel, H., & Paul, A. (2010). Genetic Variability and Heritability Studies for Yield and Quality Traits of Tomato. Green Technology, 9.
· N. Pathak, D. Barman, S.K. Naik, H. Pokhrel and R.P. Medhi. Effect of Plant Growth Regulators and Media on Conventional Propagation of Cymbidium Hybrid „Mint Ice Glacier‟. J. Ornam. Hort. 2010. 13 (3): 189-194.
· D. Barman, T Usha Bharathi, H. Pokhrel, S. K. Naik and R. P. Medhi. Influence of concentration and mode of application of different growth regulators on dendrobium hybrid Thongchai Gold. Journal of Crop and Weed, 10(2):223-230 (2014).
Book Chapters
· Sneha, Sweata Kumari, Deranik, Sangma, Himal Pokhrel and P. Deb. 2014. Bael-A tree of multiple uses. Innovative Horticulture: Concepts for sustainable Development, Recent trends. New Delhi publishers. pp.93
· D. Barman, Rajkumar and H. Pokhrel. 2014. Alstroemeria. Handbook of Organic crop production in Sikkim. Janheet Enterprises publisher, Sikkim. Pp. 239
· D. Barman, Arpita Mandal Khan, H. Pokhrel and M. Patil. 2014. Gerbera. Handbook of Organic crop production in Sikkim. Janheet Enterprises publisher, Sikkim. Pp. 239
· D. Barman, Rajkumar and H. Pokhrel. 2014. Lily. Handbook of Organic crop production in Sikkim. Janheet Enterprises publisher, Sikkim. Pp. 239
Technical Bulletins
· D. Barman, Ram Pal, V. Salini and H. Pokhrel; Production Technology of Dendrobium chrysotoxum.
· D. Barman, Ram Pal, V. Salini and H. Pokhrel; Fragrant orchids & value addition.
· L.C. De, D. Barman, R.P. Medhi, G. Chhetri and H. Pokhrel. Production Technology of Dendrobium.
· L.C. De, D. Barman, R.P. Medhi, G. Chhetri and H. Pokhrel. Production Technology of Phalaenopsis.
· D. Barman, H. Pokhrel, P. Mohanty and R.P. Medhi. Production Technology of Aerides odoratum, Coelogyne nitida and Zygopetalum intermedium.
· L.C. De, P. Deb, Geetamani Chhetri, R.P. Medhi, and H. Pokhrel. Post Harvest Technology in Orchids.
Timeline
Program Manager
Landesa
07.2025 - Current
Program Coordinator
Community Self Reliance Center (CSRC)
08.2024 - 06.2025
Program Manager
Landesa
05.2022 - 07.2024
Capacity Building Coordinator
PRADAN
12.2021 - 04.2022
Agriculture and Water Management Expert
Govt. of WB, Under Hijli INSPIRATION
03.2020 - 12.2021
Project Manager- Livelihood
Landesa
01.2015 - 10.2018
Research Associate
NRC Orchids, ICAR
03.2010 - 10.2014
Research Fellow
BCKV University
09.2009 - 01.2010
Visva Bharati
Ph.D. from Horticulture
04.2001
Visva Bharati
Master of Science from Horticulture
04.2001
Agra University
Bachelor of Science from Agriculture
04.2001
SUMI
Higher Secondary from Vocational Agriculture
04.2001
SGHS
Madhyamik Pariksha (Cl-X)
04.2001
Hobbies and Interests
Listening to music, Gardening, Reading, traveling, interaction with rural communities, and learning about sustainable development and land governance.
References
Pinaki Halder– Senior Land Tenure Advisor, Asia Region, Landesa
Email: pinakih@landesa.org Phone: +91-9007081402
Jagat Deuja- Executive Director, Community Self Reliance Center (CSRC)- Nepal
Email: deujaj@csrcnepal.org Phone +977 9851015145
Dr. Amitava Paul– Professor and Head, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding Visva-
Bharati University, Sriniketan, West Bengal.
Email: amitava.paul@visva-bharati.ac. in Phone: +91-9434197215
Declaration
I hereby declare that details furnished above are true to the best of my knowledge and belief.
Place:
Date:
(Himal Pokhrel)