International visitors to BCG

Five agricultural leaders from Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines and China visited BCG on 24 May 2007 as part of a tour organised by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).

ACIAR is an Australian Government statutory authority that reports directly to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and is a major partner in Australia’s aid program. ACIAR implement and fund a broad range of agricultural Research and Development projects in developing countries.

The visiting delegation, part of the ACIAR Policy Advisory Committee made up of ACIAR Board Members and international delegates who meet to develop appropriate policy for international agricultural R&D, was specifically investigating the development of Australian agriculture, research, development and extension capability and methodology. A visit such as this provides agricultural leaders from developing countries with the opportunity to learn new ideas and concepts that may be implemented in their own countries. ACIAR’s role is to support the successful change in agricultural systems in developing countries.

The ACIAR visit to BCG involved meeting with CEO Alexandra Gartmann and Chairman Ian McClelland who talked through how BCG operates, seeks funding and develops collaborative partnerships with industry and government. The delegation then visited our main trial site and Flexible Farming Systems site with Extension Coordinator, Fiona Best.

David Shearer, Research Program Manager and tour leader with ACIAR, said "BCG is such a great example of how a community can take positive action to have an influence on the community. The Policy Advisory Committee was certainly impressed."

For more information on this and BCG projects, please contact BCG on (03) 5492 2787.

Ian McClelland and Alexandra Gartmann with the visiting ACIAR delegation outside the BCG offices.	The delegation taking a look around our main research site.