Nikita Bhusal, a PhD student in Food Science and Technology at the University of Georgia, has been appointed as the new country representative for YPARD (Young Professionals for Agricultural Development) in the United States. Her journey with YPARD began in 2015 when she attended a workshop in Nepal focused on agro-based entrepreneurship. Inspired by the organization’s vision and activities, she became actively engaged with YPARD Nepal, eventually serving as its communications focal point in 2017.
Nikita holds a Master’s degree in Food Science from the University of Florida, a Master’s in Sustainable Agriculture from Lincoln University of Missouri, and a bachelor’s degree in food technology from Purbanchal University in Nepal. Her research interests include microbial food safety, sustainability, product development, and food security, with a particular focus on underutilized crops and enhancing food safety in fresh produce. She is also a strong advocate for youth empowerment and women’s rights.
Nikita's connection with YPARD began at the 2015 National Youth Forum on Agro-based Entrepreneurship Development organized by YPARD Nepal. Impressed by YPARD’s initiatives, she became actively involved with YPARD Nepal and was appointed as the communications focal point in 2017. During her tenure, she represented the organization at various national and international platforms, including the YPARD Asia-Pacific Regional Strategic Meeting, the High-Level Policy Dialogue on Investment in Agricultural Research for Sustainable Development in the Asia-Pacific Region, the 4th International Agronomy Congress, the INGENAES Regional Symposium, and the YPARD Global Strategic Meeting in 2018. She also led and co-organized events such as the National Food Fair, the Storytelling Competition for Young Agripreneurs, and the YPARD Student Research Symposium.
As the newly appointed Country Representative for YPARD USA, Nikita continues to champion sustainability and youth advocacy. The YPARD USA chapter was established in 2023 and is dedicated to empowering youth to shape a sustainable food system.
In October 2023, YPARD USA participated in the 4th Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services (GFRAS) Annual Meeting. Together with YPARD Canada, the team organized a side event titled *Contributions of Young Extension Advisors Panel: A Food Systems Approach*. This session gathered youth perspectives on challenges in rural advisory related to food security and nutrition, explored recent adaptations by extension advisors, and shared best practices to enhance outcomes.
Key speakers included Andrea De Roo, a young farmer from Saskatchewan and Director of Agronomy for Crop Intelligence, who discussed strategies for engaging youth in agriculture through training, mentoring, and public-private partnerships. Bev Flatt, a first-generation farmer and advocate at Bayer Crop Sciences, shared her experiences in agriculture and emphasized the need for youth involvement in policy-making and intergenerational collaboration. Luke Gran, owner of Prudenterra, highlighted his efforts in ecological restoration and rural advisory.
For the first time, YPARD partnered with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and MGCY to host a plenary session at the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum titled *Feeding the Future: Youth and Sustainable Food Systems for All*. The session focused on youth-led initiatives supporting SDG 2, addressing the urgent need for action as nearly 600 million people are projected to face chronic hunger by 2030.
The session began with Nikita's intervention where she gave an overview of a survey that revealed youth interest in sustainable food systems and a call for collaboration among various sectors. Diverse young speakers shared their insights: Yazmeen Khan Wardman discussed the role of Indigenous peoples, Wenhao Deng introduced innovative technologies for food security in China, Vanessa Garcia Polanco advocated for young farmers, Aisha Hamman promoted gender equality in Nigeria, and Lana Weidgenant championed plant-based diets for sustainability.
Nikita Bhusal’s journey with YPARD has been marked by meaningful engagement with passionate individuals dedicated to transforming global food systems. As she steps into the role of YPARD USA Country Representative, she looks forward to furthering youth engagement in agriculture, sustainability, and advocacy, working towards a brighter and more equitable future.
For those interested in becoming a YPARD USA member or seeking collaboration opportunities, please contact YPARD USA at ypardusa@gmail.com.
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