MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Gallus
Australian scientists will tackle agricultural problems in 11 developing
countries as part of a new round of research projects.
The Federal Government today announced 12 grants, worth almost $7 million, to
fund research over the next two to five years.
Among other things, scientists will focus on India's uncertain rainfall,
dwindling trochus (shellfish) stocks in the Pacific and low-yield peanut crops
in Papua New Guinea.
Foreign Affairs Parliamentary Secretary, Chris Gallus, says the program will
harness Australian know-how to boost agriculture in developing countries in the
Asia-Pacific.
Scientists will try to develop solutions for problems identified by the
Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).
ACIAR is part of Australia's overseas aid program.
Mrs Gallus said the grants represented good value for the Government, as they
attracted additional funding and resources from State governments, universities,
commercial organisations and the developing country partner.
Research could also be undertaken concurrently in Australia.
'For example, $1 million allocated over three years to research the impact of
fire on land and forest management in Indonesia will also include research in
northern Australia,' Mrs Gallus said.
As part of Australia's aid program, ACIAR co-ordinates Australian
researchers, institutions and international research centres to develop ways to
adopt a global approach to finding solutions for agricultural problems in
developing countries.
A list of the projects is attached.
Media Contacts:
Craig Bildstien (Mrs Gallus's office) 0407 604 437
Heather Briggs (ACIAR) 6217 0535 / 0418 313 845
Jo Elsom (AusAID) 6206 4960 / 0412 804 489
ACIAR projects announced by the Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign
Affairs,Chris Gallus MP, on Thursday 29 August 2002
Water resource management in India - $399,937, duration three years
Improve peanut production in PNG - $398,824, three years
Tannery effluents in India and Australia - $671,644, three years
Poultry feeding systems in PNG - $399,975, three years
Disease in Bangladesh chickpea crops - $726,435, three years
Trochus fisheries in Samoa and Vanuatu - $396,863, three years
Impact of fire on land, forestry management in Indonesia and northern
Australia - $1,062,551, three years
Crop diversification in Cambodia - $773,393, three years
Watershed management in the Philippines - $561,193, three years
Groundwater management in Fiji, Kiribati and Tonga - $399,904, two years
Oil palm crops in PNG - $617,510, five years
Sago processing in PNG - $406,224, two and a half years
Subject to finalisation of contracts in Australia and partner countries, all
of the above projects are expected to begin during the financial year
2002-2003
For detailed information contact ACIAR Tel: (02) 6217 0500; Fax: 6217
0501