ACIAR celebrates ten years in Vietnam

ACIAR celebrated ten years of project activities in Vietnam, at a ceremony held in Hanoi on 25 November 2003.

The function was a chance to reflect on ACIAR's activities over the past decade in Vietnam, including the launching of a brochure featuring highlights of the program. In the past ten years ACIAR has conducted more than 50 research and development projects, covering the spectrum of agriculture in Vietnam. Many of these projects have been aimed at, and have benefited smallholder farmers.

Breeding and feeding pigs in Vietnam, one of ACIAR's most successful projects, is an excellent example of the type of benefits ACIAR-supported research delivers.

The project introduced new pig genotypes, suited to Vietnamese conditions, that grow faster and produce leaner meat, of the type increasingly demanded by Vietnamese consumers.

A key theme of the celebration was the importance of collaboration in achieving this and other successes.

In addressing the function ACIAR Director Mr Peter Core acknowledged the excellent work carried out by Vietnam's agricultural scientists and economists. 'ACIAR's unique system of collaborative research demands a great deal ... all of you have carried out innovative research and the success of the ACIAR program is mainly a result of your hard work and dedication.'

Mr Core also praised Australian project scientists: 'The dedication of Australian scientists is a crucial element of the collaborative program.'