On landing in Perth one sentiment was common amongst our
group: are we really still in the same country? Flying 4–5 hours in most of our
group’s home countries would involve passing over at least more than one
country.
We were in Perth as part of ACIAR’s annual meeting of the
Policy Advisory Council (PAC), a group made up of representatives from the
developing countries ACIAR works with. The
meeting consists of 2 days in Canberra , followed by a short field trip
somewhere in Australia to meet with key research partners, policymakers,
farmers and agribusinesses. This year I had the pleasure of organising the
meeting and the field trip to Western Australia.
After a busy 2 days in Canberra, meeting with ACIAR’s Commission for International Agricultural Research and the Foreign Minister, the Hon. Julie Bishop, we had landed safely in Perth and were looking forward to the 3-day tour ahead.
Day 1 – Perth
University of Western Australia
PAC members with UWA researchers and chickpeas |
After a busy start to the week, Dr Bo (Vietnam) was intrigued
by the Centre for Sleep Science but especially interested in the Chickpea
experiments. The research into water use efficiency and salinity tolerance was of
particular interest to our South Asian colleagues.
CSIRO – Floreat
We spent the afternoon with the CSIRO team at their Floreat
facility. Our group was taken through the soil science basics in a
demonstration of how CSIRO engages with farmers through training and field days.
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Dr Bo demonstrated his soil science background by taking and examining a soil core from the CSIRO lawn |
We were also shown a sheep nutrition study into the effect of diet on methane production and productivity, a new saltbush variety, and productivity testing of new lupin accessions recently collected from the Fertile Crescent region.
Day 2 – Bunbury
Department of Agriculture and Food
Day 2 was a bus tour with Western Australia’s Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA).
We visited a seed potato farm, a dairy farm and a vegetable packaging facility.
The group gained a lot from interacting with the farmers and learning about the
industry from their perspective.
Wearing biosecure and fashionable plastic shoe covers to inspect the seed potato crop |
At the DAFWA office we learned about the wine industry (even tasting a couple of new varieties) and a fledgling jujube (Chinese red date) industry. Some PAC members wondered why they weren’t exporting jujube to Australia at those prices!
Day 3 – Perth
Crawford Fund
We started the final day with a breakfast hosted by the Western Australian committee of the Crawford Fund. PAC members were very interested in the potential collaboration and training opportunities for their researchers back home.
Australian Grains Centre and Murdoch University
We started the final day with a breakfast hosted by the Western Australian committee of the Crawford Fund. PAC members were very interested in the potential collaboration and training opportunities for their researchers back home.
Ruth Oniang'o (Kenya) and Leah Buendia (Philippines) show off their fluoro vests |
Next we headed off on the bus for a tour of the impressive Australian
Grains Centre at the CBH bulk grain storage and handling facility, and a visit to Murdoch University.
In an example of projects delivering benefits to both
Australia and our developing-partner countries, we were shown an experiment focused
on improving legume productivity through development of the rhizobia
(nitrogen-fixing bacteria). Legume species collected from South Africa were
being tested for their potential in improving Western Australian grazing
systems. Ruth Oniang’o (Kenya) was particularly impressed with the African
focus of the Murdoch team and was interested in further engagement with the
researchers.
Kings Park and Botanic Garden
We finished the day with a visit to Kings Park and Botanic
Garden, and were fortunate enough to be guided by our enthusiastic, former botanist,
bus driver Laurie. After a couple of quick snaps overlooking Perth and at the
end of a very busy week, there was still some time for exploring the city and
shopping! The tradition of gift-giving remains strong amongst our Councillors and
they welcomed the opportunity to buy some Australian souvenirs to present to colleagues
back home.
Mr Xaypladeth from Laos taking a selfie with Perth in the background |
It was a very productive, interesting, funny and exhausting
week. Everyone seemed to have confidence in my calm exterior and trusted I had
everything in control. Underneath though I was extremely relieved each day as
we arrived and departed on time, didn’t get lost and, most importantly, didn’t
lose anyone along the way.
Rebecca McBride, Communications Officer
It's lovely to see you guys out there and having a bit of fun while visiting us down under. Looking forward to the conclusions and findings from your trip!
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