Statement of Purpose

Agriculture has always remained in the headlines and in terms of utility value, in no way
lags behind other scientific disciplines. Scientific achievements made in agriculture are
responsible to curtail hunger and poverty for the burgeoning population in this world.
Even so, for the poor and impoverished, hunger has not been eliminated and there lies an
onerous task before us to promote sustainable improvement in agricultural resources if
we are to feed the world’s population expected to exceed eight billion by 2025.
Agriculture sector plays a strategic role in the process of economic development of a
country. It has already made a significant contribution to the economic prosperity of
advanced countries and its role in the economic development of least developed countries
is of vital importance.

Nepal, my motherland, belongs to one of the least developed countries and in this
Himalayan Kingdom; agriculture is the sine-qua-non of all economic activities with about
65% of the economically active population engaged in agriculture but it contributes only
40 % in national GDP indicating a lower agricultural productivity. Agriculture sector is
of overriding importance in Nepal and is pivotal for making any moves to increase
incomes, alleviate poverty and enhance the living standards of Nepalese farmers. Being
the dominant sector, the improvement or changes in the national output depends on the
agricultural output. Nepalese agriculture is bestowed with tremendous potential in terms
of climatic niches and biodiversity. But the paradox is that we have not yet been able to
harness the potential. Nepal lacks food self-sufficiency and most of the rural farmers lie
below the poverty line and are vulnerable to severe famine and malnutrition. Various
factors hinder agricultural productivity including high level of damages that are caused
by pests and diseases, poor management in different sectors of agriculture, lack of
advance technologies etc. Brought up in farming background and rural hinterlands, I was
always aspired to improve the disgraced and miserable condition of Nepalese agriculture.

During my undergraduate study at the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, I got
chance to close with Plant Protection which helped me pave my way towards realizing
my dream. During my undergraduate studies, I began to develop fascination towards
Plant Pathology, particularly in the areas of etiology and epidemiology of diseases.
However, I realized the importance of advance study in building a career as a Plant
Pathology specialist. Therefore, I want to pursue my graduate study in Plant Pathology
with graduate research focus on etiology and epidemiology of diseases. This course on
plant pathology has fascinated to identify disease on field condition, its consequences and
control measures, laboratory techniques of plant pathology and some molecular tools. I
had been fortunate to take a course “Introduction to Plant Pathology” and “Crop diseases
and their management” which emphasized general terminologies and basic principles of
plant pathology making me well equipped with knowledge and skills to carry out
laboratory and field researches.

As inspired by an idea of being a Plant Pathologist it has always strike me that we must
develop such strategies for the control of diseases which include planting resistant crop
varieties, changing crop cultural practices or storage conditions to those less favorable for
disease development, employing biological controls, applying chemical pesticides, and
using integrated disease management (combining two or more of the above approaches).
The ability to develop any of these strategies depends first on identifying the pathogen
causing the disease, then learning how to interrupt its disease cycle. The more known
about the genetic, biochemical, and physiological processes that operate in the host and
pathogen as infection and disease progress, the more likely a control method can be
devised. Understanding the ecology of pathogens is also important (that is, how they
survive, are dispersed, and otherwise interact with their environment). In addition, an
understanding of the epidemiology or outbreak of disease and spread of pathogens is
important for deciding which control actions are most effective in various situations. To
be more specific, my research interests are in the topics like–" Molecular interaction of
plant-fungal pathogens in detecting pathogens, “biological control of plant diseases and
development of resistant varieties”, “host plant resistance strategy to control the plant
diseases”. I want to be well equipped with knowledge of modern tools and techniques in
the field of plant pathology so that these could have a bearing on flourishing my career-
objectives.

The knowledge and experience that I have acquired to date is not sufficient to face the
challenges in the field of Plant Pathology regarding molecular level of study for
resistance to diseases. In the absence of in-depth knowledge and skill, I found myself
incomplete and incapable in carrying out the research work perfectly. However, I am
confident that the experience gained in the field of research and development will be an
added benefit to set the foundation of my Master’s study with significant contribution to
my area of specialization. In the lights of above scenarios, I am very much interested to
focus my further studies on disease resistance for better crop yields so that the results
could directly be extrapolated in our farmers' context. If you trust me, I would prove
worthy of it and will be one of the best candidates to your program.
There is the need for researchers from developing countries such as Nepal to obtain more
insight into the molecular level study of disease resistance to pathogens by using new
advanced techniques. Going through the research projects of the Department of
Agronomy and Horticulture Department, UNL, I observed that the department employs a
holistic and inter-connected approach to elucidate plant-pathogen interactions at the
molecular level. Therefore, to this end, I would like to study in the University of
Nebraska Lincoln and acquire knowledge on the most recent practices and innovations,
models and theories, techniques in the sector. I want to accouter myself with advanced
tools and develop analytical and research capabilities. After completing my masters
program I would like to continue my education and obtain a Ph.D. degree in the same
field. This degree would enable me to combine a teaching career with a career as a
research scientist. This degree would enable me to combine a teaching career with a
career as a research scientist. Therefore, after getting advance degree in Plant Pathology
from this university, I will get the opportunity to serve my country and to be a part of
global recruitment and research efforts in this particular field.

Regarding to eligibility concerned, I believe, I have procured all the requirements of the
UNL and the Department. I have completed my undergraduate study (a four-year
Bachelor’s Degree) with major in agriculture from the IAAS/ TU, in FIRST DIVISION
in aggregate. I had received “Tribhuvan University Merit scholarship” as consistent
financial aid for my performance in the academics in undergraduate. As far to my English
proficiency, I have completed all the intermediate, undergraduate courses in English
medium. In addition, I have taken GRE and IELTS in which I got 1070 and 6.0
respectively. Despite being a member of a local tribe in a country of who’s more than
90% is still illiterate; I enjoy the privilege of advance education.

I strongly believe that an advanced study of plant pathology in University of Nebraska

Lincoln would enable me to realize my aspirations and get the opportunities of gaining
skill and expertise. The well flourished university with world renounced faculty,
equipped laboratory facilities, comprehensive courses of mycology and plant pathology
and problem oriented research works, is the key motivating factors for graduate study in
this esteemed university. I believe, given to the chance, I can make the best use of every
opportunity available to pursue my academic and scientific goals. Then, utilize my
potential to contribute in agricultural development in my country, give best training to
hundreds of university students majoring in plant pathology in Nepal, and serve the
scientific community as a proud graduate of UNL and the best plant pathologist.

Sincerely