Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research

The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) is an Australian Government statutory agency in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade portfolio, reporting to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. ACIAR was established under the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research Act 1982 (Cth),(the ACIAR Act), as amended, to assist and encourage Australian agricultural scientists to use their skills to identify and find solutions to agricultural problems of developing countries.

ACIAR
Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
Agency overview
JurisdictionCommonwealth Government
HeadquartersCanberra, ACT, Australia
Employees55[1]
Minister responsible
Agency executive
  • Andrew Campbell, Chief Executive Officer
Parent AgencyDepartment of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Websitewww.aciar.gov.au

ACIAR forms part of the Australian Government's overseas aid program.[2]

The ACIAR mandate is to amplify the impact of Australia’s outstanding capabilities in agricultural science by brokering and funding agricultural research for development partnerships in developing countries. The agency works with public and private research institutions to improve the productivity and sustainability of agricultural systems and the resilience of food systems in partner countries in the Indo-Pacific region.

ACIAR supports Australia’s national interests by contributing to sustainable economic growth, poverty reduction and enhanced regional stability, with a particular focus on economic diplomacy and women’s economic empowerment. ACIAR work aligns closely with Australia’s development assistance program, supporting research collaboration while emphasising human capacity building and private sector-led development, targeted at improved livelihoods in agriculture, forestry and fisheries.

The ACIAR research portfolio encompasses:

  • key agriculture sectors—crops, fisheries, forestry, horticulture and livestock
  • science and disciplines supporting these sectors—agronomy, plant genetics, livestock production, agribusiness, social sciences, soil and land management, water, and climate
  • assessment of achievements to guide future investment—impact evaluation.

ACIAR aims to contribute to poverty reduction and improved regional security, with a particular focus on Papua New Guinea and Pacific island countries, and in partner countries in East Asia, South and West Asia and Eastern and Southern Africa.

ACIAR builds the knowledge base that underpins six strategic development objectives:

  • food security and poverty reduction
  • natural resources and climate change
  • human health and nutrition
  • gender equity and women’s empowerment
  • inclusive value chains
  • scientific and policy capacity building.

Around 65% of ACIAR research expenditure is implemented through bilateral arrangements between ACIAR and partner countries in the Indo-Pacific region.

ACIAR also manages Australia’s investment in the global agricultural research system, chief among which is the Consultative Group on International Agriculture Research Centres (CGIAR). ACIAR represents Australia on the CGIAR System Council, and Australians occupy a number of leadership positions across the CGIAR network.

To promote and support collaborative research initiatives that progress six strategic objectives, ACIAR also provides research support to other multilateral institutions, including:

ACIAR develops and manages co-investment alliances and partnerships with like-minded organisations to foster and implement global research collaborations that support strategic development in agriculture, fisheries and forestry including the:

ACIAR supports the following initiatives through global research collaborations:

The head office for ACIAR is located at ACIAR House in Canberra, Australia.

Chief executive officer

Professor Andrew Campbell is the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research.

During his tenure, Professor Campbell has led the development of a 10-Year Strategy that focuses strongly on issues such as food security, gender equality, climate change, nutrition and health.

Professor Campbell has overseen the implementation of capacity building partnerships such as the Meryl Williams Fellowship, fostering opportunities for female agricultural scientists in developing countries. ACIAR has an alumni network of more than 600 scientists, many in leadership roles in partner countries.

During Professor Campbell's leadership his commitment to gender equality has seen the proportion of women in senior roles at ACIAR increase from 11 per cent in 2016 to 70 per cent in 2021.[11]

Commission for International Agricultural Research

The Commission for International Agricultural Research was established under Section 7 of the ACIAR Act 1982. Its functions are to provide advice to the Foreign Minister on the formulation of agricultural research programs and policies to identify agricultural problems and find solutions in developing countries.[12]

The current commissioners are:

Policy Advisory Council (for International Agricultural Research)

The Policy Advisory Council (the Council) was established under Section 17 of the ACIAR Act 1982. The Council provides advice to the Foreign Minister regarding agricultural problems of developing countries, and programs and policies for agricultural research that identify agricultural problems and/or find solutions to agricultural problems in developing countries.[14]

The current board appointments are:

History of ACIAR

In 1976 Sir John Crawford recommended the Australian Government set-up and fund an independent International Research Assistance Foundation in Australia [15] in a report tabled in the Australian Parliament.

At the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in 1981, the Australian Government announced it would establish an agricultural research centre charged with contracting research to Australian institutions in the field of agriculture and related disciplines for the benefit of developing countries.

On 3 June 1982, ACIAR formally came into being when the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research Act 1982 (the ACIAR Act) was passed. Sir John Crawford was appointed as the first chairman of its Board of Management, with Professor Jim McWilliam appointed as the first Director.

The first projects supported by ACIAR commenced in 1983.[16]

Research outcomes

ACIAR contributes to sustainable economic growth and enhanced regional stability within the Indo-Pacific, with a particular focus on economic diplomacy and women’s economic empowerment.

Examples of ACIAR research that has been applied to improve the livelihoods of farmers both in partner countries and in Australia:

ACIAR has made a significant contribution to meeting the complex challenges of growing more food, reducing poverty and improving biosecurity in the Indo-Pacific region.[17] Over this time ACIAR has committed to assessing impact and where possible, quantifying the achievements of Australian and international research partners. A 2022 impact assessment of the research funded by ACIAR since its inception outlined the total benefit of projects is estimated at $64.4 billion with a benefit: cost ratio of 43:1.[18]

ACIAR produces a range of publications to capture and share the results and insights into research activities.

ACIAR fellowships, scholarships, and training support

The John Allwright and John Dillion Memorial fellowships provides the opportunity for partner country scientists involved in ACIAR-supported research projects to obtain postgraduate qualifications at Australian tertiary institutions. The fellowships are administered through the Australia Awards.[19]

The Meryl Williams fellowship is s leadership program that aims to strengthen the leadership and management skills of women working in agricultural research for development in the Indo-Pacific and is administered through the University of New England.[20]

The Pacific Agriculture Scholarships and Support (PASS) Program provides scholarships and support to postgraduate students in agriculture, forestry and fisheries at The University of the South Pacific and Fiji National University.

ACIAR also supports training activities delivered by the Crawford Fund including the Master Class and Training Program, a program of online mentoring linking agricultural researchers from developing countries with mentors in Australia, and the next-gen suite of activities designed to build interest in careers in international agricultural research.

References
  1. APS Statistical Bulletin 2015–2016 (Report). Australian Public Service Commission. September 2016.
  2. "Australia's development program". Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
  3. "Our Partners". The Pacific Community. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  4. "Country Partners | APAARI Community". Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  5. Brassica. "Donors". World Vegetable Center. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  6. "Affiliates | Global Research Alliance". globalresearchalliance.org. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  7. "CABI and ACIAR sign AUD $2.1 million four-year agreement to steer future collaboration". CABI.org. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  8. "Portfolio budget statements". Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  9. "Gaining food security by cutting food loss | IDRC - International Development Research Centre". www.idrc.ca. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  10. "Our Partners". Syngenta. 23 November 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  11. "Reappointment of ACIAR Chief Executive Officer". Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  12. "Commission for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) | Directory". www.directory.gov.au. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
  13. "Commission for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) | Directory". www.directory.gov.au. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  14. "Policy Advisory Council (for International Agricultural Research) | Directory". www.directory.gov.au. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
  15. Miller, J. D. B., "Crawford, Sir John Grenfell (Jack) (1910–1984)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, retrieved 24 May 2022
  16. ACIAR. "Partners magazine 2022 Issue 1". ACIAR. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
  17. "Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research". The Pacific Community. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  18. ACIAR. "The impact of ACIAR work in agricultural research for development 1982–2022". ACIAR. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  19. "Australia Awards". Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  20. England, University of New. "Supporting women supporting the Indo-Pacific". www.une.edu.au. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
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