Doing Well by Doing Good

Helen Scott-Orr Lester W. Burgess

The Crawford Fund

The Crawford Fund Philosophy

• Agricultural capacity building and research are

key factors in alleviating rural poverty and fostering economic progress.

• The Fund promotes and supports international

programs designed to achieve these outcomes

Public Awareness Programs

• Annual Parliamentary Conference

• Key reports commissioned

• Crawford Fund Awards, Fellowships, Medals • Selected conference support • Media relations - http://www.crawfordfund.org

Capacity Building Activities

• Workshops In-Country

• Master Classes In-Country or In-Australia

• Individual training in Australia

• Mentoring at all levels – a continuing program • Long-term capacity building through partnerships with

ACIAR, Australian Volunteers for International Development, NGO’S, and Australian companies

Cattle/Buffalo Workshop Lao PDR

Doing Well by Doing Good

• Agricultural aid brings mutual benefits

• Increasing small-holder productivity reduces

rural poverty • Increasing productivity enhances education,

health and trade prospects

Doing Well by Doing Good

Key Benefits for Australian Agriculture: • Learning opportunities for Australian researchers,

farmers, volunteers – expanding horizons • Investment and trade opportunities • Access to wider genetic diversity in crops and livestock • Enhancing biosecurity through pre-border research on

exotic diseases

Why should we enhance border security?

Foot and Mouth Disease preparedness in Indonesia FMD is highly infectious, causes massive losses in cattle, sheep and pigs. FMD freedom underpins market access for Australia’s $19 Bill. livestock industries. Indonesia eradicated FMD in the 1980s with Australian help. Menaced by possible re-introduction from other Asian countries. Development of a comprehensive Indovetplan is underway. Study tours and leadership training for government vets build capability.

NSW Crawford Fund Parliamentary Forum March 2014

FMD virus pools distribution, 2010-13

Simulation exercises build local awareness

Anthrax in Indonesia’s Eastern Islands

Anthrax outbreaks cause livestock and human deaths. Spores stay in the ground for >100 years. Annual vaccination of livestock is needed.

NSW Crawford Fund Parliamentary Forum March 2014

Lombok Sumbawa Flores

Sumba West Timor

7 vets did Masters on risk factors and control strategies for anthrax.

3 Indonesian vets learnt safer anthrax diagnostic methods at NSW DPI’s Camden

veterinary lab, becoming trainers back home to phase out dangerous culture.

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Why should we enhance border security?

• Australia remains free of a wide range of

devastating crop diseases

• Such diseases contribute to the estimated 20 - 40% loss in yield of horticultural crops in many developing nations

• Some examples…

Huanglongbing in Citrus (Chinese: 黃龍病 – Yellow Dragon Disease)

Mal Secco in Citrus - Israel

Citrus Canker

Grapevine Leaf Rust

Grapevine Leaf Rust

Bean Rust in Lao PDR – Exotic?

White Leaf in Sugarcane

Conclusions

• Diagnostic studies overseas are critical to

strengthening Australia’s biosecurity and • Are an integral aspect of capacity building in

disease diagnostics and management In-Country

• Contribute to strengthening quarantine barriers

In-country – a sadly neglected area

Challenges

• There is need for increased surveillance of imported plant material in Australia for symptomless infection

• The decline in routine crop surveillance and

diagnostic capacity in Australia is of grave concern

• Our capacity to provide training overseas is being seriously diminished