Putra Kusdarman joined the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) as a development research intern in March 2021.
In this role, Kusdarman helps the development team with fundraising and development activities specific to climate change and agriculture. He also identifies prospect information relevant to food and agriculture and provides organizational support as needed.
Prior to joining FFAR, Kusdarman served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Zambia for two years. He worked as part of the Rural Education Development Project, teaching English as a foreign language in a local secondary school. Additionally, he worked with local nonprofits in sensitization initiatives in HIV and Malaria, as well as various collaborative efforts in youth empowerment. He developed his interest in the food and agriculture sector through his experience in Zambia, having observed the livelihoods of the local Zambian farmers and seeing how crucial farming is to their daily lives.
Currently, Kusdarman is pursuing a master’s degree from Georgetown University as part of the Global Human Development program. His focus is on climate and environment with a specific emphasis in food and agriculture and migration. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations from George Mason University. In his spare time, he enjoys playing soccer and his ukulele.
Kusdarman speaks Bahasa Indonesia, Spanish and Bemba and is currently learning French.