PA/30/14 17 September 2014
Australian project to help improve land, water resources management
Australian researchers are working with their counterparts in South Asia, including India, to help farmers boost their crops by making more efficient use of ground and surface water during the dry summer months.
The initiative by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) will help improve agriculture productivity in the Eastern Gangetic plains, including in Bihar and West Bengal, through more efficient land and water resources management.
The Australian High Commissioner to India, Patrick Suckling, said the project aimed to help the people in region improve their livelihoods through more productive farming.
“I am happy that ACIAR is leading a project in collaboration with agencies in India, Nepal and Bangladesh that aims to improve livelihood opportunities. The project will benefit women and landless farmers through research to help introduce new technologies to manage water resources,” he said.
“The initiative should help in the efficient use of ground and surface water for irrigation and help boost agriculture productivity during the dry summer months.”
The four-year $AUD 2.25-million (12.37 crore rupees) project will be funded by ACIAR for implementation in India, Nepal and Bangladesh.
Australia’s strong commitment to and capacity in agricultural research and development is led by ACIAR, the Australian Government agency that encourages Australian scientists and institutions to use their skills to develop solutions to agricultural problems in countries.
The project is being launched by the Australian Ambassador to Nepal, Glenn White, at a workshop in Kathmandu today.
PROJECT PARTNERS:
India: In West Bengal, Uttar Banga Krishi Vishwavidyalaya and the NGO, Centre for Development of Human Initiatives (CDHI); in Bihar, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the NGO Sakhi.
Australia: University of Southern Queensland and CSIRO, with support by the University of Singapore.
Nepal: Department of Irrigation, Groundwater Resources Development Board and the NGO, International Development Enterprise (iDE).
Bangladesh: Bangladesh Rice Research Institute.