Media Releases

Indian shepherds benefit from international research

knaus — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 09:12:49 +1100

A gene discovered in Australian Merinos and traced back to the Indian Garole breed is now being used in India to help raise the incomes of poor shepherds.

A food secure world: how Australia can help. The report of the Crawford Fund's World Food Crisis Task Force

knaus — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 10:45:30 +1100

The report of the Crawford Fund's World Food Crisis Task Force, titled "A Food Secure World: How Australia Can Help" was released on 11 November following briefings with a range of politicians and stakeholder groups.

Australia to Strengthen Iraqi Agricultural Sector

flowers — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 09:51:17 +1000

At the United Nations in New York this week Minister Smith discussed with Iraqi Foreign Minister Zebari Australia's commitment to strengthening agricultural management in Iraq.

Australia will provide $4.7 million for agricultural research and development over the next three years to encourage farmers in northern Iraq to adopt conservation cropping methods in dryland agriculture.

Australia Backs Indian Food Security Research

knaus — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:35:35 +1000

Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr Stephen Smith, has used a visit to an Australian-funded agricultural research project in India to emphasise the need to protect the world’s food crops from the adverse impact of climate change.

Australia and India have several joint research programs that are applying the latest advances in biotechnology and plant breeding to develop improved crop varieties able to sustain high yields under dry conditions. Indian and Australian farmers share similar agro-climate conditions in their grain growing regions.

Future Directions for Australian Assistance to Africa (speech)

flowers — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:01:09 +1000

AusAid media release, speech delivered to Australia Africa Business Council by Bob McMullan MP, Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance, Member for Fraser.

Australia Increases Support for Food Security in Indonesia

clarke — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 18:39:56 +1000

Australia will provide $6.5 million (55.25 billion rupiah) over two years to the World Food Programme to address malnutrition caused by chronic food shortages in Nusa Tenggara Timur and Nusa Tenggara Barat in Indonesia.

http://www.ausaid.gov.au/media/release.cfm?BC=Media&ID=7593_3282_2382_6475_4187

Project to boost Cambodian farmers' income

knaus — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:19:19 +1000

A project aimed at reducing poverty in north-western Cambodia by enhancing the production and marketing of maize and soybean is to receive $1.17 million of funding from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) between 2008 and 2011.

Mustard – hot stuff for natural pest control

flowers — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 10:46:53 +1000

Modern science will put a centuries-old farming practice under the microscope at the Third International Biofumigation Symposium in Canberra from 21 – 25 July 2008.
http://www.csiro.au/news/BiofumigationSymposium.html

Developing fish ladders in the Mekong River

knaus — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:23:15 +1000

Fish in the Mekong River are in trouble and scientists from NSW and Queensland are travelling to Laos to help develop fish ladders so they can get past barriers in the river.

Australia's Additional $50m for Food Crisis

knaus — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:39:16 +1000

The Australian Government confirms it will provide $50 million to a new World Bank trust fund to stimulate agricultural production in developing countries adversely affected by recent steep increases in food prices.

The $50m is in addition to the $30m the Australian Government contributed to the World Food Programme for emergency humanitarian food aid in May.

The World Bank is seeking $500 million for the new fund and Australia's contribution represents 10% of the World Bank's appeal target.