Tasmania – A Fertile Food and Knowledge Bowl to Help Feed the World

A group of Tasmanians with expertise in agriculture and development will be using Tasmanian know-how to help feed the world.

At the inaugural meeting of the Tasmanian group that has joined the national non-profit NGO, the Crawford Fund, it was agreed that it should seek to forge a uniquely Tasmanian contribution to world food security.

“We look forward to contributing to the Crawford Fund’s impressive record of international collaboration for development,” said Mr MacKinnon, a grain and livestock producer at Conara near Campbell Town, and chair of the Tasmanian Committee of The Crawford Fund.

“We hope to capitalise on Tasmania’s impressive record and reputation in agriculture for the benefit of Tasmania and the developing world. Tasmania has much to offer to help world food security, not just by growing and exporting as much food as it sensibly can but also through the use of Tasmanian expertise in training to enhance global food and fibre productivity.”

“Tasmania’s research community is well placed to participate in the agricultural training for development that we’ll be supporting. We have particularly strong scientific capacity in forestry, aquaculture, sea fisheries, horticultural crops, and in the areas of climate change and food safety. This should auger well for involvement by Tasmania’s first class research institutions,” said Mr MacKinnon.

Areas of interest earmarked for training and collaboration included integrated crop management, improvements to irrigated production, value chain analysis, indigenous food crops, forestry species selection and aquaculture. The Committee is also considering a workshop or conference to spark a debate on the best avenues for a Tasmanian contribution to world food security.

Mr MacKinnon explained that there are many areas in the developing world, such as higher altitude regions in east and southern Africa, South and South East Asia and PNG, where Tasmanian experience in temperate agriculture has potential application.

“Some temperate areas in the developing world are neglected by international development agencies and we hope to facilitate transfer of Tasmanian agricultural knowledge and expertise to those parts of the world,” he said.

Ian noted that it will receive funding from the Fund and the Tasmanian Government and hopefully generous Tasmanians who realise that there are substantial benefits to both the developing world and to Australia from international agricultural research.

“Agricultural research focused on the developing world is such a win-win proposition for both developing and developed countries. We benefit tremendously – individuals benefit from the rich experiences and friendships they gain from working in developing countries; our farmers benefit through the knowledge that flows back from agricultural research we support; scientists benefit from improved networks and access to knowledge in other countries; our economy benefits through increased demand for our products as development occurs; and finally our nation benefits from the good-will that our support engenders.”

“With this win-win in mind, we want to encourage young Tasmanians to be involved in the training we support and also to consider a career in international agricultural research.”

The committee is keen to get started and is looking for a part time Coordinator to manage the funding applications from Tasmanian research institutions and agencies to provide training in developing countries.

Ian describes himself simply as a farmer with an abiding passion for the benefits that agricultural research can bring to rural development. He will join likeminded people including The Hon John Kerin, Chair of the Crawford Fund Board and former Minister for Primary Industries and Energy, and chairpeople from other State Committees of the Fund including in Victoria, Dr Tony Gregson, a farmer and head of Plant Health Australia; in SA, Dr John Radcliffe former SA Director General of Agriculture; in NSW, The Hon John Anderson, farmer and former Deputy Prime Minister; in Queensland, Ms Sallyanne Atkinson, former Lord Mayor of Brisbane; in WA, Mr Terry Enright, farmer and former chair of the GRDC; and in NT, Professor Helen Garnett, former Vice Chancellor of Charles Darwin University.

To date, confirmed members of the committee include:

Mr Ian MacKinnon (chair)
Mr David Addison – Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association
The Hon Paul Calvert – former Senator for Tasmania
Dr Robert Clark – University of Tasmania School for Agricultural Science
Dr Richard Doyle – University of Tasmania School for Agricultural Science
Mr Wes Ford – Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research
Prof Gustaaf Hallegraeff – University of Tasmania School of Plant Science
Prof Robert Menary – Foundation Governor for the University of Tasmania
Dr Neville Mendham – University of Tasmania
Prof June Olley – University of Tasmania School for Agricultural Science
Ms Mel Rae – Agricultural Resource Management
Mr Bob Reid – TasGlobal Seeds
Prof Jim Reid – Cooperative Research Centre for Forestry