Impact Assessment Series

IAS57 Management of internal parasites in goats in the Philippines [5]
Goats are an important source of income for smallholders in the Philippines and were shown to be sustaining significant losses from internal parasites. In collaboration with Philippine and international organisations, ACIAR funded a program which developed a management package which effectively controlled internal parasites and enhanced goat productivity. This study found significant impacts with the estimated net present value of welfare gains of $66 million, a benefit to cost ratio of 10:1 and an internal rate of return of 25 per cent.

IAS55 ACIAR fisheries projects in Indonesia: review and impact assessment [7]
This study provided a review of all ACIAR-funded fisheries research in Indonesia and selected two different programs of research for detailed studies – tuna capture fisheries and shrimp aquaculture. The returns attributed to the ACIAR supported component of tuna capture fisheries was assessed to be $168 million, indicating a return on ACIAR and partner-invested funds of a benefit to cost ratio of 179:1. For shrimp aquaculture the net present value of the welfare gains from the impact was found to be $547 million with a benefit to cost ratio of 52:1.

IAS54 Impact of improved management of white grubs in peanut-cropping systems in India [9]
This project looked at the problems caused by various species of white-grub pests in peanut production in India and Australia. The impact assessment study shows that the project has generated important benefits for a crop that is largely grown by the poorer farmers in this part of India.

IAS53 The impact of increasing efficiency and productivity of ruminants in India by the use of protected-nutrient technology [11]
The dairy industry is a large and important sector for India and availability of quality feed is a significant issue for cow productivity. The ACIAR project assessed in this impact study focused on this major constraint and adapted some technologies readily available in Australia to suit the types of feed available in India. The impact was shown to be substantial, with a benefit to cost ratio of 124:1.

IAS52 Breeding and feeding pigs in Vietnam: assessment of capacity building and an update on impacts [13]
The study updates the estimates of the impact provided in IAS 17. It highlights two important issues. First, the total benefits from this research activity and subsequent follow-up activities have increased substantially, from a net present value of benefits of nearly $500 million to nearly $2.0 billion. This provides a benefit-to-cost return of over 250:1 and an internal rate of return of 74%. Second, the capacity building included as an important component of the original project has been crucial in sustaining and extending the impact of the research.

IAS51 Growing trees on salt-affected land [15]
Salinity and waterlogging are significant problems in a wide range of agricultural areas throughout the world. It has been found that some Australian species, including species in the genera Eucalyptys and Acacia, have adapted to thrive in these conditions. Bioremediation using such trees has often been suggested as a potentially lower-cost alternative to physical methods, however adoption has not been high. This is probably due to the development costs and relatively long investment periods before seeing a return.

IAS50 Improved trade in mangoes from the Philippines, Thailand and Australia [17]
This impact assessment focused on two ACIAR mango projects, looking at production cycles and quarantine requirements in export markets. The production cycle project was a high risk project in a very complex area and it did not have direct impacts, however it did initiate further research. The quarantine requirement project was a lower risk project and it generated significant returns on investment.

IAS49 Minimising impacts of fungal disease of eucalypts in South-East Asia [19]
Eucalypt species are relatively free of pests and diseases when introduced into new environments, which has led to large areas under plantation throughout the world. However as the plantation areas increase so does the threat of pest and disease introduction. This ACIAR project found new genetic material with enhanced disease resistance. It also used climatic modelling to identify high disease-risk regions. 

IAS48 Assessment of capacity building: overcoming production constraints to sorghum in rainfed environments in India and Australia [21]

This project uncovered new sorghum plant material with characteristics of considerable potential benefit to Australia. Through other Australian funding, this was subsequently developed into a new variety. Although no new sorghum varieties were developed in India, it markedly enhanced the capacity of the Indian collaborators in some new biotechnology research techniques. This enhanced capacity aided successful application for funding from other sources.

IAS47 Improved Australian tree species for Vietnam [23]

Australian tree species are being used extensively throughout the world because of their rapid growth and adaptability to many (harsh) environments. This study looks at the impact on Vietnam of some past ACIAR research activities. It shows that, through adaptation, significant improvements in productivity can be achieved by selecting tree provenances that are best suited to specific environments.

IAS46 Mite pests of honey bees in the Asia-Pacific region [25]
Mite pests of bees are one of the major production constraints facing the apiary industry throughout the world. In most countries, the mites are present and have a significant impact on productivity and production costs. In Australia, the only country in the world without these mites, the maintenance of effective quarantine strategies against them is a major aim. ACIAR has funded research on these pests for about 15 years, which has made a significant contribution internationally to a better understanding of the mites, especially species, and their host conditions.

IAS45 Development of sustainable forestry plantations in China: a review [27]
The forestry sector in China is a major contributor to economic growth. The development of fast-growing, high-yeilding plantations for wood production has made a significant contribution to this sector. This report documents the story of Chinese forestry development.

IAS44 Impact Assessment of capacity building and training: assessment framework and two case studies [29]
Capacity building and training have long been recognised as an important component of most research-for-development activities.

IAS43 Water management in public irrigation schemes in Vietnam [31]
Irrigation systems in most of Vietnam, like in many countries, are public systems.

IAS42 Benefits to Australia of selected CABI products [33]
CAB International is one of the 15 International Agriculture Research Centres that ACIAR provides funding for in its multilateral program.

IAS41 ACIAR and public funding of R&D: submission to the Productivity Commission [35]
ACIAR provided the Science and Innovation Commissioned Study with a submission detailing it's unique and interesting role which transcends both Australia's aid program and its innovation system.

IAS40 Zero tillage for weed control in India: the contribution to poverty alleviation [37]
This report took the opportunity of an existing survey in India to try to measure poverty-reduction impacts of research.

IAS39 Benefits to Australia from ACIAR-funded research [39]
While funding research in developing countries, ACIAR also delivers benefits to Australia and, in particular, to Australian agriculture.

IAS38 Future directions for ACIAR's animal health research [41]
To meet the escalating demand for animal protein in the Asia-Pacific region, ACIAR's challenge is to underpin the sustainability of increased livestock and fisheries production for poor farmers and consumers.

IAS37 Management of Fruit Flies in the Pacific [43]
Economic analysis of project benefits and costs suggests that the total investment in fruit fly research will deliver considerable benefits, mainly to Fiji, but also to Tonga, Samoa, the Cook Islands and Vanuatu.

IAS36 Impacts of Mud Crab Hatchery Technology in Vietnam [45]
This report describes a benefit-cost analysis carried out to quantify the economic impacts in Vietnam from adoption of the mud crab hatchery technology developed by two ACIAR-funded projects.

IAS35 Review of the returns to ACIAR's bilateral R&D Investments [47]
ACIAR's investment in bilateral research over the past 22 years has more than paid for itself, as revealed in a review of returns to ACIAR's Bilateral R&D investments.

IAS34 Identifying the Sex Pheromone of the Sugarcane Borer Moth [49]
The project evaluated in this report helped to identify the sex pheromone (attractant chemical) of the sugarcane borer.

IAS33 Research into Conservation Tillage for Dryland Cropping in Australia and China [51]
The ACIAR projects evaluated in this report explored the suitability of Australian conservation cropping techniques for China, aiming to maximise wheat and maize yields while conserving moisture and reducing soil degradation.

IAS32 Shelf-life extension of leafy vegetables: Evaluating the impacts [53]
The project evaluated in this report examined handling and storage methods in China and Australia for a number of leafy vegetables

IAS31 Review of ACIAR's Research on Agricultural Policy [55]
This review includes a framework for assessing future 'ideal' policy projects; a meta-analysis of ACIAR's policy portfolio and a more detailed analysis of clusters of projects completed over the past decade in China, Indonesia and India

IAS30 Eucalypt tree improvement in China [57]
Eucalypt plantation forestry has become a major economic activity in China's southern provinces

IAS29 Impact Assessment of Research on the Biology and Management of Coconut Crabs on Vanuatu [59]
ACIAR and AIDAB (now AusAID) funded a suite of projects starting in 1985 with the aim of providing a science-based foundation for sustainable management of Vanuatu's coconut crab resources, for the benefit of the Ni-Vanuatu people

IAS28 Water and Nitrogen Management in Wheat-Maize Production on the North China Plain [61]
The North China Plain supports a large number of highly intensive small farms that produce winter wheat traditionally followed by a summer crop of maize

IAS27 Acacia Hybrids in Vietnam [62]
This impact assessment focuses on the net economic, environmental and social value of the spill-over benefits accruing to Vietnam