Australia and Vietnam celebrating 20 years of cooperation in agriculture

The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) celebrated 20 years in Vietnam last Friday, 20 September 2013. At a function hosted by Australian Ambassador Hugh Borrowman, ACIAR staff from Australia and Vietnam together with their Vietnamese counterparts reflected on the success of past projects and committed to further collaboration in the future.

ACIAR is unique amongst donor organisations in Vietnam. It brings together Australian, Vietnamese and other International scientists in long term partnerships to solve agricultural problems to improve livelihoods of smallholders, develop sustainable farming practices and build the capacity of Vietnamese scientists.

More than 115 research projects have been implemented in Vietnam over the last 20 years. The program reflects Australia’s agricultural expertise and covers a wide range of scientific disciplines such as forestry, land and water resources, animal sciences, crop sciences, fisheries and agricultural economics.

The Ambassador said: “Continued growth in the agricultural sector, and more sustainable practices, are vital to Vietnam. Effective scientific research can help in achieving this, now and into the future. I am happy to see that ACIAR is committed to assisting with the agricultural research needs of Vietnam, bringing together and supporting scientists for the benefit of the Vietnamese people.”

More than 500 Vietnamese scientists have been trained by ACIAR-funded courses and fellowships over the last 20 years. These programs have increased the capacity of Vietnam’s scientific community. Many of the alumni hold important positions in research institutes or have become leading experts in Vietnam.

Gamini Keerthisinghe, ACIAR Principal Regional Coordinator – Mekong Countries said “The year ahead will see ACIAR commence a number of new projects - two new projects in the North West highlands, projects in the Centre of Vietnam for beef cattle, projects in the Central Coast and Mekong Delta on rice-shrimp systems and climate change. These programs aim to bring the skills of scientists in the major research centres into provincial regions to improve farmer incomes in a practical and sustainable manner. Collaboration with provincial researchers, extension officers and farmers, together with good communication strategies appropriate to different farmer groups, researchers, government and private businesses will be a strong focus.”

Detailed information about ACIAR’s projects is attached to this media release. For more information, please contact:
 

Mr Geoff Morris , Country Manager, ACIAR – Vietnam

Email: [email protected]    Tel. 84-4-37740202

or

Ms Vu Thi Hai Hau, Assistant Country Manager

Email: [email protected]   Tel. 84-4-37740263

Or visit the following sites:
www.aciar.gov.au
www.vietnam.embassy.gov.au
www.facebook.com/AustralianEmbassyVietnam and www.flickr.com/photos/australianembassyvietnam