Arming the Pacific region against pests and disease

Networks developed through the ACIAR Pacific Plant Biosecurity Partnership program continue to help strengthen capacity in the prevention of the spread of pests and disease in crops throughout the region, despite COVID-19 disrupting the program.

Mr Abel Ximenes has worked as a plant pathologist in Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries for 15 years. He has contributed to several scientific papers on disease in crops and is an active collaborator with the Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy.

But even with his considerable experience, he said being involved in the ACIAR Pacific Plant Biosecurity Partnership program was invaluable.

Through the program, he learned new techniques in surveillance and diagnostics as well as processes to assist in safe trade. And he built relationships that continue to enhance his work in biosecurity, long after the program officially ended.

‘Meeting people and developing networks was important because those connections have given me very good information on plant biosecurity and how to handle disease and pest issues,’ said Mr Ximenes. ‘We have a WhatsApp group and when I share a picture, members of the group give me feedback.’

This peer network provides smaller, resource-poor countries such as Timor-Leste with diagnostic support, but also builds real-time knowledge around biosecurity threats throughout the region.

‘It’s a strong network,’ said biosecurity specialist Mr Bill Magee, who co-managed the ACIAR-funded program modelled on successful ACIAR capacity-building work in Africa.

The Pacific Plant Biosecurity Partnership program began in 2019, providing fellowships for 19 participants working in plant protection organisations from 9 countries across the Pacific region: Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

Mr Magee said participants developed their network during the 2 weeks of workshops in Brisbane looking at in-country control processes, trade and communication. New relationships were also formed with Australian biosecurity researchers and service providers during 3 weeks of placements with agencies for practical training.

Participants were embedded in government departments, universities and industry bodies focused on their nominated priorities including quarantine processes, plant risk assessment and diagnostics.

‘It was really hands-on, intensive, on-the-job training,’ said program co-manager Mr Rob Duthie, CEO of Pacific biosecurity specialists Kalang Consulting Services. The placements also worked as a two-way exchange,he said.

Australian host institutions gained valuable insights into operations, processes and people involved in biosecurity in neighbouring Pacific countries. And this understanding and relationship building ultimately leads to strengthened biosecurity in the region and safer trade.

For example, Mr Ximenes was placed with the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI), gaining insights to improve his surveillance methods to detect pests and disease and learning how to use molecular tools to diagnose disease. He now regularly sends samples to Australia for testing through contacts he made in the program. Meanwhile, NSW DPI staff gained an understanding of the biosecurity challenges facing Timor-Leste through a presentation and insights Mr Ximenes provided during his placement.