Dr. Yamuna Ghale

Research Director (Senior Research Fellow)

PhD (Food Security & Governance)

Core competencies:

 1.       Management competence:

• Leadership in management (leading large scale programmes and projects including policy & strategic planning, budget and management of human resources)
• Relation and negotiation with government, bilateral and multi-lateral donors
• Development of policies and programmes
• Collaboration and coordination with government agencies, donors, INGOs, NGOs, private sector, farmer's organisations and civil society
• Communication and networking
• Strategic decision making and visioning.

2.       Thematic competence:

• Agriculture and natural resource management based research, analysis and advocacy
• Policy analysis and advocacy on agriculture and food security, forest, water, land, resource rights
• Federalism and working with three tiers of government on agriculture and natural resources related research, analysis and economic development
• Gender and social inclusion policies, plans and programs
• Globalisation, World Trade Organisation (WTO) and international treaties and conventions
• Women's rights, policies and programs, and gender mainstreaming
• Climate change adaptation and mitigation measures
• Technical innovations in response to socio-political changes
• Indigenous knowledge, farmers rights, biological diversity and genetic resources
• Review of existing laws, policies and procedures related to agriculture and natural resources

Methodological competence:

• Policy review, analysis and contribution: Agriculture Development Strategy (MoALD), food security policies (MoALD), gender in agriculture (MoALD), land use policy (MoLRM), gender equality and social inclusion policy (MoWCSW), forest sector strategy (MoFSC), bio-diversity policies (MoFSC)
• Project/programme development and reviews
• Rights based approach to development with specific focus on women, food security, land management and natural resources, people with disabilities, minorities & marginalized communities, and remote areas
• Research and studies on different issues related to natural resource management, agriculture, food security and gender mainstreaming

Contributions to the Legislative Parliament/ the Constituent Assembly Committees and expert inputs:

Consultation and expert inputs to the thematic committees of the Legislative Parliament and the Constituent Assembly (CA) and high-level committees/commissions on:

• Fundamental Right and Directive Principle
• Natural Resource, Economic Rights and Revenue Allocation
• Agriculture and Water Resources
• Member of Prime Minister Economic Advisory Committee of Ex-Prime Minister Dr. Babu Ram Bhattarai
• High Level Land Reform Commissions

Experiential competence:

• Networking and collaboration: National Farmer's Commission, Peasant Coalition (coalition of farmers organisations of different political parties); people's organisations (community forestry, land rights, women and natural resources, national cooperatives federation, Dalit and minorities, rights to food network)
• Engage with government policy makers and executives, donor groups, CBOs, academic institutions and private sectors (FNCCI, CNI)
• Affiliation with different social and thematic groups, networks
• Participation and contribution in global forums such as WTO, Ministerial Conferences, LDC meeting, FAO meetings on food and agriculture, 49^th session of CEDAW, Social Forum (Brazil), etc.

Research project leading:

• Challenges of municipal solid waste management: Learning from post-crisis governance initiatives in South Asia" (Nepal Project Leader) with University of Lausanne as lead organization, funded by Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF)- Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) under the Research for Development (R4D) programme (2018-2022)
• "Feminization, Agricultural Transition and Rural Employment implement at Bolivia, Laos, Nepal and Rwanda (Co-applicant and Project Leader, Nepal Programme), with Centre for Development and Environment (CDE) of University of Bern as lead organization, funded by Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF)- Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) under the Research for Development (R4D) Employment Theme (2014-2020).

Consultancy experiences:

  Employment:

Research experiences:

Engaged in policy and development oriented research and assessments related to agriculture & natural resources, WTO, low external inputs agriculture, ecological agriculture, farmer's rights, food security/right to food and food sovereignty, trade, women, gender, social inclusion, etc.

Trainings and conferences:

Participated in numerous workshops, training and conferences at national and international levels on the thematic areas of work presented above since 1992 and presented papers.   

Contributions to national policies:

1.       Inputs to the thematic committees of the Constituent Assembly on Natural Resources, Economic Rights and Revenue Sharing; the Fundamental Rights & Directive Principles; and the parliamentary committee on Agriculture and Water Resource Committee

2.       Technical Assistance in Research and Extension in Agriculture Development Strategy (ADS) prepared by Ministry of Agricultural Development, Government of Nepal,

3.       Inputs on National Land Policy prepared by Ministry of Land Reform and Management, Government of Nepal,

4.       Inputs on Agro-biodiversity prepared by Ministry of Agricultural Development,

5.       Inputs on Plant Variety Protection Bill, prepared by Ministry of Agricultural Development,

6.       Input on sectoral monograph in agriculture prepared by World Bank and DFID.

Selected publications:

 1.       Upreti, B. R.; Uprety, D. and Ghake, Y. (2020) Nepali Women in Politics: Success and Challenges. Journal of International Women's Studies, 21(2), 76-93

2.       Ghale, Y.; Pyakuryal, K.N.; Devkota, D.; Pant, K.P.; and Timsina, N. P. (2018). Gender Dimensions of Food Security, the Right to Food and Food Sovereignty in Nepal. Journal of International Women's Studies, 19(4), 15-31. Available at: http://vc.bridgew.edu/jiws/vol19/iss4/3

3.       Ghale, Y. and Pyakuryal K. N., (2016), Conceptualizing right to food and food security: some theoretical reflections. Nepalese Journal of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 14 (ISSN 2091-042X and eISSN 2091-0428)

4.       Upreti, B. R.; Subedi, B.; KC, S.; Ghale, Y. and Shivakoti, S. (2016), Understanding dynamics of rural agriculture and employment in Nepal: Evidences from Ilam district of Eastern Nepal. Nepalese Journal of Agricultural Research, Vol. 14, No. 1. Pp.  132-141.

5.       Upreti, B.R.; Ghale, Y. and KC, S. (2016). Effects of Armed Conflict on Agricultural Markets and Post-conflict Engagement of Women in Export-led Agriculture in Nepal. Journal of International Women's Studies, 18(1), 156-180. Available at: http://vc.bridgew.edu/jiws/vol18/iss1/12

6.       Ghale Y. (2016), Food Security: Security through Rights. Himal Magazine, October 23-29, Kathmandu, Nepal.

7.       Upreti, B.R. and Ghale Y., (2014). Conflict over Seed and Plant Genetic Resources: Implications for Food Security, In: Upreti, B.R.; Sharma, S.R. and Paudel, S.B. (eds.) Food Security in Post Conflict Nepal: Challenges and Opportunities. Kathmandu: Kathmandu University and Nepal Centre for Contemporary Research (NCCR). Pp. 47-72.

8.       Ghale, Y. (2014). Gendered Dimensions of Food Security in Nepal, In: Upreti, B.R.; Sharma, S.R. and Paudel, S.B. (eds.) Food Security in Post Conflict Nepal: Challenges and Opportunities. Kathmandu: Kathmandu University and Nepal Centre for Contemporary Research (NCCR). Pp. 91-114.

9.       Ghale, Y. and Bishwokarma N.K. (2013). Food Security: A Fundamental Basis for Food Security, In: Upreti, B.R., Bhattarai, R. and Wagle, G.S. (eds.). Human Security in Nepal: Concepts, Issues and Challenges. Kathmandu: Nepal Institute for Policy Studies (NIPS) and South Asia Regional Coordination Office of NCCR (North-South). Pp. 89-118.

10.    Ghale, Y. (2012). Nepalese Women's Empowerment by 2030, In: Sharma, S.R.; Upreti, B.R. and Pyakuryal, K. (eds.). Nepal 2030: A Vision for Peaceful and Prosperous Nation. Kathmandu: South Asia Regional Coordination Office of the Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) North-South. Pp 111-126.

11.    Ghale Y., (2011). Land management and globalisation, In: Poverty and Land Reform. Gurung, G. (ed.), NIDS, Nepal (Nepali).

12.    Ghale Y., (2011), Right to food and food security in the changing context, In: Land, Agriculture and Agrarian Transformation, Pyakuryal K.N and Upreti B.R. (eds), Consortium for Land Research and Policy Dialogue (COLARP), Kathmandu, Nepal

13.    Ghale, Y., (2010), Corporate Globalisation: Hunger and Livelihoods Insecurity in Nepal. In: Livelihood Insecurity and Social Conflict in Nepal. Upreti B.R. and Ulrike Muller-Boker (eds), Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) North South, South Asia Coordination Office, Nepal

14.    Ghale, Y., (2010). Natural Resources and power sharing in the federal state structure. In: Environmental and Governance Related Resource Book. Kathmandu: IUCN, UKAID and Forum for Justice.

15.    Ghale, Y., (2008). Women, Globalisation and Land Based Exclusion in Nepal. In: Land Politics and Conflict in Nepal, Upreti, B.R., Sharma, S., Basnet, J., (eds.). Kathmandu: RCO and CSRC.

16.    Ghale, Y., (2008), Concentration and monopolisation of seed market: Impact on food sovereignty in developing countries, SAWTEE.

17.    Ghale, Y., (2007). The Right to Food and Livelihoods: Exploiting Agricultural Potential. Centre for Administration, Management and Development, vol. 10, no. 1, Issue 19.

18.    Shivakoti, G.; Ghale, Y. and Upreti, B.R. (2005). The ecological dynamics of low external input agriculture: A case study of hill farming in a developing country. The International Journal of Sustainable Development and World Ecology, Volume 12, Number 4, December, Pp. 385-397.

19.    Bhandari, S.; Shrestha, S.M. and Ghale, Y. (2005). Nepal's Accession to the WTO: Opportunities and Challenges for Nepal. Kathmandu: Action Aid Nepal and Law Associates Nepal.

20.    Adhikari, R.; Belbase N. and Ghale, Y. (2005). Intellectual Property Rights and its Implications in Nepal. Kathmandu: Action Aid Nepal and Pro-Public.

21.    Upreti, B.R. and Upreti, Y. (2002). Factors Leading to Agro-biodiversity Loss in Developing Countries: The Case of Nepal. Biodiversity and Conservation. 11 (9), Pp. 1607-1621.

22.    Ghale, Y., (2000). Glossary on Globalisation, WTO and Food security. Kathmandu: Action Aid Nepal (Nepali).

Media and others:

• Moderator/chair/commentator/discussant in many different events
• Periodically writing in newspapers such as: a) Samay weekly, b) Kantipur Daily c) Nepal magazine d) Himal magazine, online news and other newspapers and magazines,
• Expert opinion on "Annual Budget" presented by the Government in The Himalayan Times and other national, daily and weekly,
• Expert opinion on agriculture sector development, gender and inclusion issues, right to natural resources and trade issues in various FM radio and television programs

Awards and Scholarships:

• Netherlands Fellowship to study M.Sc. Programme in Ecological Agriculture in Wageningen Agricultural University, The Netherlands.
• Women Support Scholarship Award from Women Development Project/IAAS to study B.Sc. Agriculture in IAAS Rampur.
• Free Competition Scholarship From Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science for I. Sc.
• Intelligent Student Award in the High School from District Education Office.
• Various grants to attend and present papers and expert opinion in international conferences, workshops, seminars and consultation meetings,

Affiliations:                         

• Associate-Women for Change in Agriculture and Natural Resources (WOCAN), Global network registered in USA,
• Founder member and Advisor-Food First Information Network, FIAN,
• Founder Member-Women Leading for Change in Natural resources (W-LCN),
• Life member-Nepal Participatory Action Network (NEPAN),
• Life member-Agriculture Association of Nepal (AAN),
• Member-Netherlands Students Alumni,
• Member-Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS) Alumni,
• Team member-Food Policy coordinated by Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO),
• Founder Member-Food First Action International, Nepal,
• Board member-Centre for Policy Research and Development (CPAD)-National NGO,
• Advisor-FECOFUN, Nepal,
• Advisor-Eco-Nepal (NGO working in Environment and disaster response sector),
• Advisor-Indigenous Women Lawyers Network-INOLAC,
• Advisor - "Our Heritage" Magazine,
• Gender advisor-Agriculture Extension in South Asia (AESA),
• Member-Chandra Gurung Conservation Foundation (CGCF),
• Advisor-Nepal Permaculture Group (NPG).