Dr. Bhuminand Devkota, Professor of Veterinary Science (Theriogenology), Faculty of Animal Science, Veterinary Science and Fisheries, and Coordinator of Postgraduate Studies Center, Agriculture and Forestry University, Chitwan has taken over as the President of the Asian Buffalo Association during the recently concluded 9th Asian Buffalo Congress (ABC), held in Hisar, India from February 1 to 4. This is a historical achievement that Nepal got this opportunity to lead the dynamic international scientific forum for the first time and Prof. Devkota has led from the front to achieve this feat.

Prof. Devkota is a renowned scientist of animal reproduction technology. He presented a country paper at the 9th ABC highlighting the contribution of buffalo to Nepalese food supply system with its economic impact, buffalo production system in the country, government policy, recent initiatives on buffalo research and development and role of the Agriculture and Forestry University in this endeavor. He further highlighted the resolutions of the historically accomplished International Buffalo Symposium (IBS) 2017 in Chitwan in November last year. Prof. Devkota played a pivotal role as an Organizing Secretary of the Symposium. The focus of the IBS2017 resolutions was to establish Buffalo Research Center in the country and strengthen national and international partnership for buffalo development. During the 9th ABC, Prof. Devkota also presented a paper “Efficacy of Timed Artificial Insemination Protocols in Nepalese Buffaloes” highlighting his research achievements on low season breeding attempts.

Prof. Devkota has over 20 years of services in Universities including Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS), Tribhuvan University and Agriculture and Forestry University in Nepal and Iwate University in Japan. He has 2 years of service in the Department of Livestock Services under the Ministry of Agriculture as a Veterinary Officer. Widely travelled throughout the world, Prof. Devkota has participated with the lead paper or paper in the most prestigious meetings in the world including International Ruminant Reproduction Symposium, Meetings of the British Society of Animal Science, Society of Reproduction and Development in Japan, Japanese Society of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Society for Studies on Reproduction, American Dairy Science Association, Asian Buffalo Congress and International Symposium on Dairy Animal Reproduction. He has authored/co-authored more than 40 research papers in internationally recognized SCI journals, more than 20 in the past 5 years, have more than 60 proceeding/abstract publications and a large number of publications in national journals and bulletin over the years. He is actively participating in building up an international research community on Animal Reproduction as a reviewer for several relevant SCI Journals, as well as by organizing national/international conferences/workshops and by giving several keynotes at national/international conferences. He is well known for his professional dedication and contribution nationally and internationally.

Recently, Prof. Devkota is focusing on buffalo research and development in the country and leading the mission of “Buffalo: the food animal for Nepal”. He is currently coordinating in the “Society for Buffalo Development in Nepal”.

Under the leadership of Prof. Devkota, the 10th Asian Buffalo Congress will be organized in Nepal during 2021 to addresses the key issues relevant to buffalo production. It is expected that this congress will draw delegates not only from Asian countries but from across the globe. This will be a milestone for buffalo development in the country as well.