It’s a moment of unparalleled pride that resonates throughout the entire International Association of Students in Agricultural and Related Sciences (IAAS) Nepal network. What began as an innovative idea to address agricultural waste and promote sustainability—the Agro Bloom – Paper With Life project—has culminated in a sensational double victory on the global stage at the World Food Forum (WFF) 2025 in Rome!
This inspiring journey, starting with the project’s win at the Global Project Competition 2025, continued to soar through the rigorous Youth Food Lab 2025 program. Our phenomenal team, known as Team SAMPADA, was expertly led by Ishwor Shrestha, Vice President of Project Planning, IAAS Nepal.
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The Journey of Innovation: From Local Project to Global Incubator
The Agro Bloom project, an eco-innovative initiative, focuses on transforming agricultural residues such as rice straw into handmade, plantable paper embedded with seeds. This not only provides an eco-friendly alternative to conventional paper but also helps reduce agricultural waste and promotes sustainable practices. The team successfully crafts these papers into marketable products like bookmarks, greeting cards, and art cards, truly making paper “bloom.”
This ambitious project first earned its stripes by winning the Global Project Competition 2025 under IAAS World, proving its potential to a global audience. The journey then accelerated as the team was selected for the highly competitive Youth Food Lab 2025 incubator program—a collaborative initiative by WFF, IAAS, and Wageningen University & Research (WUR).
Team Sampada: Leading Nepal’s Agri-Innovation
For eight months, our phenomenal team, Team SAMPADA -led by Ishwor Shrestha, Vice President of Project Planning, IAAS Nepal, alongside members Suwanee Shrestha, Smita Rana Magar, Amresh Kumar Yadav, and Kaushal Koirala—poured their dedication into capacity development, expert mentorship, and refining their sustainable business model.
Their tireless work culminated in a powerful pitch at the World Food Forum’s final event in October 2025 at the FAO Headquarters in Rome. The impact was undeniable, securing a stunning double recognition:
- Youth Food Lab Award 2025
- Youth Food Lab X Learning Factory Award 2025
This double win is a monumental achievement, solidifying Agro Bloom’s standing as a leading youth-led solution for agrifood systems transformation.
The Innovation: Turning 20% of Waste into Wonder
Team Sada’s mission addresses a severe crisis in Nepal’s agricultural landscape: the disposal of agro-residues. With over 22 million tons of residue generated annually, approximately 20% is openly burned or wasted, contributing to massive CO2 emissions, air degradation, and soil infertility.
The project’s solution is both elegant and sustainable: creating plantable paper directly from rice straw. This innovative method offers a distinct competitive advantage by intervening at the source of pollution, unlike most seed papers that rely on recycled pulp. The resulting products—artistic bookmarks, greeting cards, and eco-arts—have a remarkable dual value: they serve their purpose and then can be planted to grow herbs and flowers. The rice straw naturally enhances the sprouting process by retaining moisture and nutrients.
Team SAMPADA: The Innovators
Team Sampada is composed of dedicated young leaders from IAAS Nepal:
- Ishwor Shrestha (Team Leader, IAAS Nepal VP of Project Planning)
- Suwanee Shrestha
- Smita Rana Magar
- Amresh Kumar Yadav
- Kaushal Koirala
Although the team could not attend the event in Rome physically, their powerful virtual pitch demonstrated the project’s immense potential to the international community.
Triple Bottom Line Impact
Team SAMPADA’s model generates robust and measurable impact across three critical areas:
- Environmental: Directly reducing crop residue burning and increasing local greenery.
- Economic: Establishing a sustainable, high-value revenue stream by converting cheap, abundant agricultural waste into unique, sellable merchandise.
- Social: Providing crucial training and employment opportunities for farmers and local community members, supporting rural livelihoods.
Team Sada’s diligent work, including rigorous pulp quality trials and successful merchandise pilots, established the credibility needed for global recognition.
Gratitude and Global Partnerships
We extend our deepest and most sincere gratitude to the World Food Forum, Youth Food Lab 2025, and Wageningen University & Research. Your belief in our innovation and your commitment to providing a global platform for young solutions have been instrumental in this success. These platforms are vital in nurturing the next generation of food system leaders.
Applause for Team Sampada! 🥳
A massive applause to every member of Team SAMPADA! Your passion, brilliant teamwork, and tireless commitment to sustainability have not just secured these prestigious awards, but have also elevated the profile of IAAS Nepal globally. You’ve made us all incredibly proud!
This victory is a testament to the fact that when young minds are empowered, they can truly change the world. IAAS Nepal looks forward to continuing this momentum of excellence and innovation!
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Last updated on October 25, 2025 at 3:44 pm
