Akaraj Upreti is a distinguished leader in Nepal’s cooperative movement and rural governance, bringing over 30 years of dedicated experience to the sector. He currently serves as the Chairperson of the Nepal Agricultural Cooperative Central Federation Ltd. (NACCFL), where he leads national efforts to strengthen agricultural cooperatives and advocate for policy reform. Mr. Upreti’s career is defined by his commitment to community empowerment. He served as the Chairperson of Manahari Rural Municipality (2074–2079 B.S.), where he spearheaded local governance and rural development initiatives. A pioneer at the grassroots level, he was the Founding Chairperson of the Manahari Small Farmers Agricultural Cooperative and the District Agricultural Cooperative Union in Makwanpur. His leadership extends beyond agriculture into environmental conservation and public service, having held advisory roles in community forestry and health center management. With extensive international exposure across Asia, Mr. Upreti continues to be a driving force in advancing sustainable livelihoods and inclusive economic growth for Nepal’s smallholder farmers.