On December 4, 1995, I began my journey with South Asian Traders, founding an export company that ignited my lifelong passion for coffee. From those early days of exploration to today’s dedication in cultivating, roasting, and educating, my commitment to quality and ethical practices has guided every step. Join me on this nostalgic journey through coffee and discover how I can elevate your coffee experience.
Raj Kumar Banjara, PhD
Authorized SCA Trainer 2022-2025
Issued by Specialty Coffee Association
Authorized SCA Trainers (ASTs) deliver SCA assessment-based certificate programs; such as the Coffee Skills Program, Coffee Sustainability Program and Coffee Technician Program.
Portfolio
Arabica Q Grader
Authorized SCA Trainer
SCA Coffee Diploma
SCA Roastery Diploma
SCA Café Diploma
SCI Instructor
Coffee Skills
SCA Intro to Coffee
SCA Sensory Skills
SCA Barista Skills
Arabica Q Grader
SCA Green Coffee
SCA Brewing
SCI Processing
SCI Brewing
SCI Roasting
CURRENT INVOLVEMENT
- Founder – Nepal Coffee Academy
- Founder – HimalayanArabica® Coffee Brand
- Curator – ‘iCoffee’, Inclusive Coffee Journeys
WORK EXPERIENCE (PUBLIC SECTOR)
- Executive Member – Government of Nepal, National Tea & Coffee Development Board
- Executive Member – Nepal Coffee Producers’ Association
- Co-founder and Director – Nepal Philosophical Research Centre (NPRC)
AWARDS/ACHIEVEMENTS
- Nepal Bidhya Bhusan by the Rt. Honorable President of Nepal – 2018
- Export Excellence Award – Lalitpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 2022
- Winning Coffee in the 2nd and 3rd Int’l Contest of Coffees Roasted – AVPA Paris, France – 2016 & 2017
- Best Coffee Producer Award – by the Government of Nepal, National Tea & Coffee Development Board (NTCBD) – 2019
- Best Coffee Company of the Year Award – by Nepal Coffee Producers’ Association (NCPA) 2018
- Best Coffee Processor of the Year Award – by NTCBD- 2016
FEATURED IN MEDIA
Standart (Issue 32, print version only)
Japan Asia Nikkei
Standart (Issue 32, print version only)
KEY PUBLICATIONS
- Economic Impact Of Organic Farming; Cases From The Farmers Of Nepal – Published by – Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, UK
- Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) As Alternative To Third Party Organic Certification For Farmers In Nepal Published by – The International Journal of Humanities & Social Studies, India
- Sustainable Model Of Organic Agriculture Published by – Journal of Advanced Academic Research (JAAR), Nepal
- Principles Of Organic Agriculture And Its Social Implication In Reference To The Nepalese Practices Published by – Int’l Journal of Sociology of Agriculture and Food (IJSAF), UK
- Implication Of Diffusion Model In The Process And Practices Of Organic Farming In Nepal Published by – New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research
STORY TIMELINE
- 2024
- Established ‘Rajkumar BANJARA’ as a brand to celebrate his 28 years of dedication in the coffee business.
- 2023
- Started Kaidako Coffee
- 2022
- Export Excellence Award – Lalitpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
- Recognized for winning coffee in the 2nd and 3rd International Contest of Coffees Roasted – AVPA Paris, France
- Named Best Coffee Producer by National Tea & Coffee Development Board.
- Honored as Best Coffee Company of the Year by Nepal Coffee Producers’ Association.
- Achieved SCI Certified Green Coffee, Processing, and Roasting Professional certifications.
- Featured in major media outlets including Standart and Japan Asia Nikkei.
- 2021
- Led the Disability Inclusive Coffee Training Program in collaboration with The Light for World, Cordaid, and National Federation for Disabled Nepal (NFD-N).
- 2020
- Achieved SCA Certified Sustainability certification.
- 2019
- Lead Trainer: 1st National Coffee Cupping Competition – organized by NTCBD
- Achieved multiple SCA certifications including Coffee Diploma, Roasting Professional, Sensory Professional, and Brewing Professional
- Led National training for Cupping, Roasting, and Brewing skills.
- Recognized as Best Coffee Processor of the Year by NTCBD
- Published key research papers on organic farming and agricultural sustainability.
- 2018
- Senior Expert & Lead Trainer: National Coffee Cupping and Quality Event Organized by NTCDB; Ministry of Agricultural Development (MoAD); Ministry of Commerce (MoC) & TPSD.
- Awarded Nepal Bidhya Bhusan by the Rt. Honorable President of Nepal.
- Co-founded and directed the Nepal Philosophical Research Centre (NPRC).
- 2017
- Technical Committee Member: National Skill Testing Board, Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT)
- Lead Trainer: National Training for Cup Tasting
- Received the AVPA Paris Award for outstanding coffee from Nepal.
- 2016
- Won the AVPA Paris Award for exceptional coffee roasting.
- Featured in Gorkhapatra.
- 2015
- Established as a Q Grader, enhancing expertise in coffee quality assessment.
- 2012
- Established Coffee Information Center (कफी सूचना केन्द्र, बल्खु तरकारी बजार) connecting coffee farmers and buyers
- 2010
- Registered ‘HimalayanArabica’ Brand at the Government of Nepal
- 1995
- Founded South Asian Traders, marking the beginning of a career dedicated to coffee and export business.
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