Growing more food beats hunger and boost incomes

On Australia’s doorstep, where millions of people face hunger on a daily basis, Australia is helping smallholder farmers to boost production and improve people’s prosperity. ACIAR’s CEO Dr Nick Austin explains Australia’s role in agricultural development and capacity building in the December 09 Issues magazine on global food security.

The November 2008 - February 2009 edition of Partners Magazine explores ACIAR's response to the food security challenge in depth.

The Issues magazine article is summarised below.

Agricultural development comes first

In the Asia-Pacific region and Africa, 70-80% of people are involved in agriculture. They recognise the fundamental role of agricultural research and development in increasing food production, improving their livelihoods and boosting economic growth.

Agricultural growth has been a precursor to overall economic growth in countries like Vietnam, China and India. Now, in East Timor for example, Australia is helping to both rebuild the capacity of agriculture and boost productivity through the Seeds of Life Program.

Responding to the food crisis

Lifting productivity involves a wide range of research designed to boost the output of staple crops and to develop crops that stand up better to pests, disease or climate variability, and the introduction of second crops or enterprises into farming systems where there is an opportunity to do so.

In South Asia, through Australian research projects farmers are being encouraged to grow alternative crops in their fallow rice paddies to increase food production and incomes, and also reduce the need for people to migrate for off-farm work.
Fostering enterprise for prosperity

Beyond increasing food production, Australia is taking a systems approach to reinforce changes, such as modified cropping or livestock activities, with specialist support for associated policy development and trade reform at government level. The strategic partnerships being built between researcher providers, peanut and cocoa growers and private companies in Eastern Indonesia is an example of this new approach to agricultural development among poor rural communities.

Capacity building is vital

Building the capacity of research institutions in partner countries is one of Australia’s priorities in supporting agricultural development. Research capacity is built through the long-term partnerships that Australia has with governments and agricultural institutions and personnel in developing countries where the application of scientific research and change can occur over a long period of time.

Regular reviews of the economic impact of Australia’s R&D projects in developing countries highlight capacity building as an important component in sustaining and extending the impact of research.

Investing in the future

Addressing food security is a long-term challenge requiring major investment. To this end Australia has a new initiative worth $463.3 million over four years to support increases in food production globally and to strengthen the ability of countries in the Asia-Pacific region and Africa to address food insecurity.

As part of this new initiative, ACIAR is develping a project to assist poor farmers in eastern Africa to enhance the productivity of staple crops - maize and legumes.

Full version of Nick Austin’s article (pdf)

Issues magazine: Issues magazine