PA/07/11 15 February 2011
Australian and Indian scientists collaborate to improve agricultural production
Leading Australian and Indian agricultural researchers working together on joint research projects are gathering this week to highlight their achievements and to establish future research priorities.
A series of workshops and field visits have been arranged by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), which has been funding agricultural research in India since 1983.
Australian High Commissioner to India, Mr Peter Varghese, said Australia and India have similar environmental conditions and natural resource management issues, along with common crops such as wheat, sorghum and pulses, which has led to common agricultural research interests.
“India is looking to improve food security and reduce rural poverty through increased crop production, and I am pleased that Australia, through ACIAR, is in a position to assist,” Mr Varghese said.
Since 1983 ACIAR has funded 80 bilateral and multilateral projects in India representing approximately AUD47m (INR2153m) from Australia, and substantial co-investment from Indian partners. The current program consists of 12 on-going multi-year projects and activities valued at AUD22m (INR1010m).
ACIAR’s CEO Dr Nick Austin said unlike traditional aid donors, ACIAR’s role is as a research partnership broker, bringing together researchers from both countries to address problems of common interest. “We operate with joint funding,” Dr Austin said.
The diverse portfolio of projects under ACIAR’s program in India is focused on the four areas of wheat breeding, cropping systems, water management and agricultural policy.
“This week workshops, field visits and meetings with regional and national stakeholders are being held in Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, and Haryana. These forums will allow scientists to showcase their projects, build linkages with other project teams working in the same thematic area, and also share findings with external audiences,” Dr Austin said.
In Karnal, Haryana, on 16 February leading wheat scientists are meeting to progress their collaboration on breeding highly resistant wheat varieties to overcome climatic and disease stress. The workshop is part of an Indo-Australian wheat breeding program, initiated in 2008, co-funded by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and ACIAR.
On 18 February Australian and Indian research program managers, policy makers and development professionals will gather for a strategic dialogue to set priorities for shared research activity for the next five years.
“ACIAR’s research and development program emphasises collaboration in areas of Australian and Indian science expertise and in themes where both India and Australia have strong common interests and potential for local and national impacts.
“Sharing the outcomes from these project experiences will assist greatly in shaping the future research directions,” said Dr Austin.
For more information, please contact the Public Affairs Section at the Australian High Commission, New Delhi on 011 4139 9900.