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Impact Assessment Series
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A methodology for assessing the poverty-reducing impacts of Australia’s international agricultural research
Publication Code:
IAS078
Price:
$25.00
There is much evidence to support the assertion that improving agricultural productivity can reduce extreme poverty among rural populations in the developing world. This report examines some recent advances in methods for assessing the impact of agricultural research on the poor, and suggests a method specifically suitable for measuring the poverty-reducing impact of ACIAR research.
Rice–wheat cropping systems in India and Australia, and development of the ‘Happy Seeder’
Publication Code:
IAS077
Price:
$47.00
While India’s expansion of the rice–wheat cropping system led to the production of more food, it has also led to degradation of the natural environment, and concerns over the sustainability of the practice. This report looks at the returns on investment of ACIAR projects that sought to develop alternative practices for growing rice and wheat sustainably, and designing a machine that allows direct seeding of wheat into rice stubble.
The contribution of agricultural growth to poverty reduction
Publication Code:
IAS076
Price:
$28.00
There is general consensus that, since 1980, there has been a significant reduction in poverty in many developing countries, and studies have pointed to the strong link between agricultural growth and poverty reduction. Nevertheless, the interest of government policymakers and donor organisations in agriculture declined from the 1980s onwards, regaining momentum only when the price of staple food crops started to rise sharply in the mid 2000s.
Extending rice crop yield improvements in Lao PDR: an ACIAR–World Vision collaborative project
Publication Code:
IAS075
Price:
$44.00
An assessment of the impact of an ACIAR–World Vision extension project on improving rice crop yields in southern Laos. The assessment shows there have been significant gains in food security for the adopting farmers, with widespread acceptance of the new rice varieties and improvement of wet-season rice yields.
International Rice Research Institute’s contribution to rice varietal yield improvement in South-East Asia
Publication Code:
IAS074
Price:
$60.00
This study assesses the impact of IRRI’s work on varietal improvement on rice production in the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam.
Forestry in Papua New Guinea: a review of ACIAR’s program
Publication Code:
IAS073
Price:
$45.00
This study provides an overall assessment of ACIAR’s forestry program in PNG and takes a more in-depth look at projects relating to galip nuts.
Frameworks for assessing policy research and ACIAR’s investment in policy-oriented projects in Indonesia
Publication Code:
IAS072
Price:
$40.00
This study adds to the body of literature on the development of methodological frameworks and tools that could be used to assess the benefits of policy-oriented research. It also investigates the extent to which policy outputs were achieved in 10 of ACIAR’s Indonesian policy projects.
The economic impact in Indonesia and Australia of investment in plantation forestry research, 1987–2009
Publication Code:
IAS071
Price:
$55.00
This report describes the first economic impact study of ACIAR’s plantation forestry research in Indonesia and Australia.
Extending low-chill fruits in nothern Thailand: an ACIAR-World Vision collaborative project
Publication Code:
IAS070
Price:
$40.00
An assessment of the impact of an ACIAR–World Vision extension project that encouraged farmers in the hill areas of northern Thailand to grow high-value, low-chill temperate fruits. The impact was assessed on the basis of the economic returns that accrued to farmers adopting the extension advice.
Lessons learned from past ACIAR impact assessments, adoption studies and experience
Publication Code:
IAS069
Price:
$20.00
This review seeks to capture the elements that contribute to a successful ACIAR project.
Benefit–cost meta-analysis of investment in the International Agricultural Research Centres
Publication Code:
IAS068
Price:
$35.00
This study examines, in very broad terms, evidence of the returns on investment flowing from research undertaken by the various centres of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research across ACIAR’s mandated regions (North Asia, Papua New Guinea and Pacific island countries, South Asia, South-East Asia and southern Africa).
The biology, socioeconomics, and management of the barramundi fishery in Papua New Guinea's Western Province
Publication Code:
IAS067
Price:
$37.00
An impact assessment on the effects of introduction of the barramundi fishery management plan on fishing practices and fishing communities.
Extending low-cost fish farming in Thailand: an ACIAR-World Vision collaborative program
Publication Code:
IAS066
Price:
$40.00
An assessment of the impact of an ACIAR–World Vision extension project training farmers in northern Thailand on fish farming with low-cost feed. The impact was assessed on the basis of the economic returns that accrue to farmers adopting the extension advice.
ACIAR investment in research on forages in Indonesia
Publication Code:
IAS065
Price:
$40.00
As part of the continuing approach of ACIAR to assess the impact of its past R&D investments, this study presents a brief overview of ACIAR-funded forage research in Indonesia.
Reform of domestic grain markets in China: a reassessment of the contribution of ACIAR-funded economic policy research
Publication Code:
IAS064
Price:
$35.00
A report on a reassessment of two ACIAR-funded economic research projects dealing with the reform of domestic grain markets in China.
Analysis of ACIAR’s returns on investment: appropriateness, efficiency and effectiveness
Publication Code:
IAS063
Price:
$22.00
ACIAR has a long history of assessing the impact of its research and development investments, which provides valuable lessons for improving the selection, design and delivery of projects, as well as demonstrating the value of ACIAR as part of Australia’s international development assistance program. This report is an update of a review of of the returns on ACIAR's bilateral R&D investments (http://aciar.gov.au/publication/IAS035), published in 2005.
Integrated management of insect pests of stored grain in the Philippines
Publication Code:
IAS062
Price:
$20.00
This study looks at projects that focused on developing effective methods for treating stored grains for control of pests in several countries in South-East Asia, including the Philippines. There has been significant adoption of the outcomes, primarily by larger storage and handling sectors of the rice and other grain industries. The study found that the return on this significant investment by all parties was substantial, with a net present value of research gains to the Philippines of PHP65,544m or A$1,696m. This provides a benefit:cost ratio of approximately 174:1 and an internal rate of return of 46.6%.
Salinity reduction in tannery effluents in India and Australia
Publication Code:
IAS061
Price:
$22.00
This study examines research undertaken in India, where communities are suffering economically and socially from the salt pollution from tanneries. The estimated net benefits to Indian tanneries is A$47.3 million in present-value terms (using a 5% discount rate), of which $22.4 million can be attributed to ACIAR on a cost-share basis. They represent an impressive 32.4% internal rate of return.
ACIAR Database for Impact Assessments (ADIA): an outline of the database structure and a guide to its operation
Publication Code:
IAS060
Price:
$20.00
This report describes the development of the ACIAR Database for Impact Assessments (ADIA) that will be the repository of information from impact assessments and PIAS forms. The database will record all projects funded by ACIAR, and build up the information for each project as adoption studies and impact assessments are undertaken.
Two-stage grain drying in the Philippines
Publication Code:
IAS059
Price:
$19.00
Grain drying is a major issue in all grain-producing countries and presents particular problems in humid, tropical climates. ACIAR and PCARRD, in association with other Philippine research organisations, have supported a major effort in this area. The review indicated that the technologies developed in these projects had not been adopted and that little use was being made of them in the Philippines, however the same technologies had been adopted in other collaborating countries in the Asian region and in Australia. Therefore it was decided that the assessment resources should be used to look in detail at the reasons for this lack of adoption and impact. This report presents the results of this assessment study.
Guidelines for assessing the impacts of ACIAR's research activities
Publication Code:
IAS058
Price:
$23.00
These guidelines are designed for all independent consultants to use as a basis for future impact assessments and adoption studies.
Management of internal parasites in goats in the Philippines
Publication Code:
IAS057
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.
A review and impact assessment of ACIAR’s fruit-fly research partnerships, 1984–2007
Publication Code:
IAS056
This study reviewed the full set of 17 projects on fruit flies that ACIAR has supported with many partner organisations and countries. Overall the study shows that the return on this substantial research and development investment has been significant. The net present value of all benefits was estimated as $208.1 million (in A$2007).
ACIAR fisheries projects in Indonesia: review and impact assessment
Publication Code:
IAS055
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.
Impact of improved management of white grubs in peanut-cropping systems in India
Publication Code:
IAS054
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.
The impact of increasing efficiency and productivity of ruminants in India by the use of protected-nutrient technology
Publication Code:
IAS053
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.
Breeding and feeding pigs in Vietnam: assessment of capacity building and an update on impacts
Publication Code:
IAS052
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.
Growing trees on salt-affected land
Publication Code:
IAS051
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.
Improved trade in mangoes from the Philippines, Thailand and Australia
Publication Code:
IAS050
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.
Minimising impacts of fungal disease of eucalypts in South-East Asia
Publication Code:
IAS049
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.
