ARCHIVED MEDIA RELEASE
PA/15/2001 13 September 2001
India, Australia discuss agricultural research priorities
Indian and Australian scientists have met in New Delhi to identify areas of cooperation in agricultural research, including improved natural resource management as a means of achieving sustainable agricultural production.
At the 10-11 September consultations on agricultural research priorities between the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and Indian government agencies, participants agreed on the need to address areas such as processing, storage, distribution and marketing efficiencies, as well as drawing on the applications of biotechnology and new information technologies.
"The consultations should strengthen ACIAR's existing bilateral program with India, helping to improve sustainable agricultural systems and develop appropriate strategies for natural resource management in India," said Mr. Bob Clements, ACIAR's Director.
The consultations, held once every four years by ACIAR with partner countries, drew participants from the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR), the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF), the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the Ministry of Textiles, the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), the Department of Biotechnology, several Indian state universities and institutes, and research NGOs.
Building on positive experiences of working together since the last bilateral consultations in 1997, the discussions aimed to make collaborative research between the two countries even more productive.
ACIAR is part of Australia's development assistance program. It was established to improve agricultural practices in developing countries through collaborative research with partner countries. In India, ACIAR has completed 33 projects and is currently involved in another 21, with 15 others in the pipeline.
The deliberations this week focused on the future directions of bilateral agricultural research. Issues discussed included Australia's comparative advantage in agricultural research, India's agricultural research and development priorities, agricultural extension and transfer of technology in India, and an overview of the forestry sector research. Four working groups discussed animal sciences, crop sciences, forestry, and land and water. Each group spent a day discussing agricultural research issues and priorities in India and on ways Australia could share specialist knowledge with partner organisations.
For further information, please contact Vicki Poole, Country Manager, ACIAR, on telephone 6888223, ext. 469.