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House of Representatives Standing Committee on Agriculture, Resources, Fisheries and Forestry
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Chapter 2 Background
2.1
The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) is
a statutory authority that operates as part of the Australian Government's
development cooperation programs. The Centre encourages Australia's
agricultural scientists to use their skills for the benefit of developing
countries and Australia. ACIAR operates in five international regions: Papua
New Guinea and the Pacific Islands; Indonesia, East Timor and the Philippines;
Mekong countries and China; South and West Asia; and Africa.
2.2
ACIAR forms part of Australia’s international aid
program, which is managed primarily by AusAID. In 2011, the Australian
Government commissioned an independent review of Australia’s aid policy,
responding through the statement An Effective Aid Program for Australia –
Making a real difference – Delivering Real Results.[1] This refocused Australia’s aid program by prescribing five strategic
goals that are consistent with the aims of the United Nations Millennium
Development Goals:
n saving
lives,
n promoting
opportunities for all,
n sustainable
economic development,
n effective
governance, and
n humanitarian
and disaster response.[2]
2.3
The review also resulted in a range of changes to
how Australia’s international aid program is implemented. The primary impact on
ACIAR was a change in its governance structure through amending its enabling
legislation, the Australian Centre for International Agricultural
Research Act 1982 (the ACIAR Act). The change in governance
resulted in the establishment of the Commission for International Agricultural
Research to oversee ACIAR and to provide advice to the Minister on relevant
ACIAR activities.[3]
2.4
ACIARs key functions include:
n commissioning
research into improving sustainable agricultural production in developing
countries;
n funding project related
training;
n communicating the
results of funded research;
n conducting and
funding development activities related to research programs;
n administering the
Australian Government's contribution to the International Agricultural Research
Centres.[4]
2.5
It is important to note that the ACIAR Act does not authorise the ACIAR
to conduct research on behalf of the Commonwealth. As a result, its work is
conducted through collaborative research.
2.6
The ACIARs current work program is broad and varied. Its work falls into
the following categories:
n Research programs,
n Aid Program
Initiatives,
n Impact Assessment,
and
n Food security.
2.7
Each of these categories is briefly expanded upon below.
Research programs
2.8
Research and development programs conducted by ACIAR develop, monitor
and evaluate a range of projects in the areas of:
n Livestock and
fisheries
n Crops
n Natural resource
management
n Economic and social
sciences
2.9
Multilateral research and development stems from ACIAR’s core funding to
International Agricultural Research Centres (IARCs) and also from funding individual
projects.[5]
Aid Program Initiatives
2.10
ACIAR works in partnership with other countries to deliver its
contribution to Australia’s aid program. Some strategic partnerships are funded
via the Overseas Development Assistance – Food Security through Rural
Development initiative, while others may be delivered in partnership with
AusAID. Currently, there are a number of initiatives being undertaken:
n Australia Pakistan
Agriculture Sector Linkages Program Phase 2, 2010-2015: collaboration
between Australia and Pakistan to improve livelihood systems for the rural poor
with a focus on the mango, citrus and dairy sectors. [6]
n Rice-based Systems
Research Program: concentrates on rice-based food security in Lao PDR,
Cambodia and Bangladesh through boosting rice yields, improving livestock
production and the increasing the capacity of individuals and institutions.[7]
n Sustainable
Intensification of Maize-Legume cropping systems for food security in Eastern
and Southern Africa (SIMLESA) Program: addresses the improvement of yields
of maize and legumes in Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania
through international collaboration with the International Maize and Wheat
Improvement Center (CIMMYT).[8]
Impact Assessment Program
2.11
ACIAR conducts assessments of the impact of the research that it funds,
in particular, it works to quantify its return on investment. These assessments
are used to provide accountability to stakeholders along with improved decision
making capability for future investment and to provide research training. [9]
Currently three forms of assessment are used:
n Economic
assessments: published in the ACIARs Impact Assessment Series. These
assessments, undertaken by independent economists include analysis of project
adoption and project outputs, impact assessments and qualitative assessment of the
social and environmental impact of projects.[10]
n Adoption studies:
conducted 3 - 4 years after a project has been completed measure how a project
has made a difference at the scientific and community levels. If no discernible
differences are identified, the reasons for this are sought.[11]
n Impact pathway
analysis: traces the pathway to change ‘from research outputs (the
deliverables), to outcomes (use of the deliverables by the next and final
users), to impact (the ultimate change in social, economic and/or environmental
conditions that occurs with widespread adoption)’.[12]
Food Security
2.12
ACIAR’s work has a significant emphasis on food security, particularly
in the area of improving food security for countries under its mandate through
international partnerships. This work is undertaken through a range of
dedicated centres and international collaborations, as detailed below.
Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and
International Agricultural Research Centres (IARCs)
2.13
ACIAR works through CGIAR, a global partnership ‘dedicated to reducing
rural poverty, increasing food security, improving human health and nutrition,
and ensuring more sustainable management of natural resources’.[13]
CGIAR has a range of research programs that are carried out by a global network
of 15 IARCs. CGIAR’s research programs include:
n dryland cereals;
n grain legumes;
n livestock and fish;
n maize;
n rice;
n roots, tubers and
bananas;
n wheat;
n climate change,
agriculture and food security;
n forests, trees and
agroforestry;
n water, land and
ecosystems;
n integrated systems
for the humid tropics;
n aquatic agricultural
systems;
n dryland systems;
n policies,
institutions and markets;
n agriculture for
nutrition and health; and
n managing and
sustaining crop collections.[14]
Australian International Food Security Centre (AIFSC)
2.14
The AIFSC sits within ACIAR. With
offices in Canberra and Nairobi, its goal is to help smallholder farmers and
other poor households access sufficient, accessible and nutritious food by
providing linkages to agricultural innovation. AIFSC also aims to facilitate
market access through the reduction of economic and policy barriers.[15]
2.15
The AIFSC has a ten year strategy which identifies priority areas of
focus. These key areas are:
n sustainable and
productive farming systems;
n food markets, value
chains and social systems;
n food nutrition and
safety;
n communications and
knowledge management; and
n education, training
and capacity building.[16]
2.16
The AIFSC currently conducts a range of projects associated with its
operations:
n Identifying socioeconomic
constraints to and incentives for faster technology adoption: Pathways to
sustainable intensification in eastern and southern Africa.
n ‘Trees for Food Security’ -
Improving sustainable productivity in farming systems and evergreen agriculture
in eastern Africa.
n Farm power and conservation
agriculture for sustainable intensification.
n A traffic light soil water sensor
for resource poor farmers.[17]