The 2024-25 Federal Budget, presented last night by Treasurer Chalmers, has allocated A$117.327 million to the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) to contribute to poverty reduction and improved livelihoods, through collaborative international research and capacity building partnerships. An additional A$4.062 million will be sourced from external funding partners, including the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
ACIAR supports Australia's national interests by contributing to sustainable economic growth, food security, poverty reduction and enhanced regional stability, with a particular focus on economic diplomacy and women's economic empowerment. The ACIAR mandate is to amplify the impact of Australia's outstanding capabilities in food systems, innovation and natural resource sciences by brokering and funding agricultural research for development partnerships in our partner countries.
The work of ACIAR aligns closely with Australia's International Development Policy, supporting research collaboration while emphasising individual and organisational capacity development and private sector-led development, targeted at improved livelihoods and communities.
ACIAR works with public and private research institutions to improve the productivity and sustainability of agricultural systems and the resilience of communities in partner countries in the Indo-Pacific region. ACIAR, through its Country Network, has permanent representation in 11 countries in the region.
In 2024-25, ACIAR will continue to develop and implement partnership strategies with regional and country partners in the Indo-Pacific. Partnership strategies will continue to guide ACIAR's research investments in alignment with country priorities and Australia's International Development Policy. Based on demand from partner countries, there will be an increased focus on investments which address climate resilience and mitigation. The strategies will also detail the intent for co-investment by some partner countries.
Full details of country priorities and programs are available through the ACIAR Annual Operational Plan.
Details on the full budget can be found via the Government's Budget website.
