Australia’s support helps Vietnam promote sustainable agriculture
The Aus4Innovation Program is a ten-year (2018-2028) flagship program to strengthen Vietnam’s innovation system to support inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development.
The Government of Australia has announced three projects that will receive funding from the Aus4Innovation program – an AUD$33.5-million (US$21.7 million) development assistance program to strengthen Vietnam’s innovation system.
| Aus4Innovation program helps Vietnamese farmers manage hi-tech agriculture. Photo: Embassy of Australia in Hanoi |
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Sourced from the program’s Innovation Partnership Grants themed “High Tech Innovation to Address Challenges in Agriculture for Sustainable Development”, the projects with innovative technology solutions applied in agriculture will receive total funding of AUD1.45 million (nearly $1 million).
The Aus4Innovation program has completed three funding rounds, financing AUD5.3 million ($3.4 million) for 12 projects in agriculture and food, healthcare, natural disaster, and environment management.
Three projects of the 4th round recently announced by the Australian Government, in partnership with the Vietnamese Ministry of Science and Technology, are cutting-edge agricultural technology projects.
The grants of AUD1.5 million aim to support the uptake of advanced technologies capable of enhancing agricultural efficiency and promoting sustainable practices in Vietnam.
This latest round of the Aus4Innovation Partnership Grants, managed by CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, focused on the pressing theme - high-tech innovation to address challenges in agriculture for sustainable development.
With the complexities of modern agriculture in mind, this round sought proposals that leverage high-tech solutions to enhance agricultural productivity, market development for agricultural outputs, climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts, and social inclusivity.
The three successful projects highlight the importance of collaboration between the research innovation ecosystems in Australia and Vietnam to make technological advancements in sustainable agriculture.
These projects include: (1) Improving crop monitoring and access to information by smallholder farmers and government decision-makers in Vietnam - A collaboration between the University of Southern Queensland and the Vietnam National Space Center, this initiative will harness geospatial technologies to provide vital crop information, aiming to boost productivity.
(2) Proactive carbon farming with AI and digital twins for sustainable agriculture in Thanh Hoa Province - Griffith University and Hanoi University of Science and Technology will develop an AI-driven platform to better quantify greenhouse gas emissions and enhance carbon farming, ultimately contributing to sustainable agricultural practices and revenue opportunities through carbon credits.
(3) Empowering smallholder farmers through AI-powered certification and traceability for sustainable agriculture in Vietnam - Griffith University in partnership with Vietnam’s Commission of Standard, Metrology, and Quality aims to elevate standards in agriculture through an AI and digitalization system that ensures effective farm monitoring and product traceability.
Andrew Goledzinowski, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, said these initiatives embody the spirit of innovation and collaboration between Australia and Vietnam. “Through the Aus4Innovation Partnership Grants, we are not only tackling evolving challenges but also investing in the long-term sustainability of Vietnam’s agricultural sector. This shines a light on our broader commitment to support Vietnam through targeted funding for technology-driven projects that address both emerging and long-standing challenges.”
Vice Minister Bui The Duy from the Ministry of Science and Technology believed that the successful implementation of these projects would mark a significant leap in Vietnam’s ambitions to become a pioneer in the application of high-tech solutions in agriculture. “This collaboration underlines our commitment to embracing innovative technologies that drive significant socio-economic benefits, laying the foundation for a more resilient and prosperous future.”
Dr. Kim Wimbush, CSIRO Counsellor to Vietnam and Director of the Aus4Innovation Program said recipients of Aus4Innovation Partnership Grants, also benefit from CSIRO’s support through connections to the network of innovators and industry partners, guidance on gender and disability responsiveness and social inclusivity, and access to partnership brokering experts. “The move is to ensure the success of projects and fortify the collaboration between Australian and Vietnamese entities within each project.”
Aus4Innovation
The Aus4Innovation Program is a ten-year (2018-2028) flagship program aimed at strengthening Vietnam’s innovation system to support inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development.
Through the Aus4Innovation program, the Australian Government is committed to supporting Vietnam to strengthen its innovation system and its capability to respond to a changing context to accelerate innovation-led economic growth.
The program is funded by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), co-funded and managed by CSIRO, and delivered in a strategic partnership with Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology.
Key program elements include Innovation Policy Dialogue – supporting Vietnamese ministries and partners to enact policy and regulatory reform to help Vietnam strengthen its science, technology and innovation systems and frameworks; Network of Innovation Actors – assisting in innovation capacity building and training activities for government, academia and industry, particularly SMEs; Innovation Funding and Finance – awarding grant funding to Australia - Vietnam partnerships to deliver innovative solutions to address socio-economic challenges jointly; and Innovation Partnerships – building and connecting research, industry and government agencies across Vietnam and Australia to enhance businesses productivity and value.
Australia has been actively supporting sustainable agriculture in Hanoi through various initiatives aimed at promoting environmentally friendly farming practices, enhancing food security, and fostering economic development.
Specifically, Australia, through its development agencies like the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), has funded and supported research projects in Vietnam, including in Hanoi. These projects focus on improving crop yields, reducing the environmental impact of farming, and increasing resilience to climate change.
Collaboration between Australian universities and Vietnamese institutions has helped transfer new technologies and farming practices that promote sustainability, such as water-saving irrigation techniques, integrated pest management, and the use of organic fertilizers.
Australia has been involved in training and capacity-building programs for Vietnamese farmers, particularly in Hanoi and surrounding areas. These programs aim to equip farmers with the skills needed to adopt sustainable practices, improve productivity, and access international markets. Workshops and training sessions have been organized to educate farmers about sustainable land management, soil health, and climate-resilient agriculture, which is particularly important in the face of changing weather patterns.
One of the major focuses of Australia's agricultural assistance is helping Vietnam adapt to the impacts of climate change. This includes support for developing crop varieties that are more tolerant to drought and flooding, both of which are challenges for Hanoi's agriculture sector. Australia has also supported initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions in farming, such as promoting the use of renewable energy sources in agriculture and reducing the use of chemical inputs.
Through initiatives like the Australia-Vietnam Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy, Australia has helped improve access to sustainable agricultural products from Vietnam, including Hanoi, into international markets. This not only promotes sustainable farming but also ensures farmers get better prices for their produce. |
