Mr Ken Moore China-Australia Sustainable Agriculture Collaboration in Tasmania

Transcription

1 26 July 2018 Mr Ken Moore China-Australia Sustainable Agriculture Collaboration in Tasmania Christopher Johns Research Manager, Northern Australia and Land Care Research Programme Key Points The National Landcare Program, through 56 natural resource management organisations, is a key part of the Australian Government s commitment to protect and conserve Australia s valuable natural resources. NRM South, one of the NRM organizations, has established in Tasmania a unique collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the pre-eminent agricultural research organization in China. In 2017 NRM South signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences for future cooperation in sustainable agriculture and natural resource management. The Memorandum of Understanding also includes a cooperation agreement between with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and the University of Tasmania for research and educational exchange. The Australia China Sustainable Agriculture Partnership is expected to result in new business opportunities in China for Tasmanian and Australian agricultural and natural resource management expertise to assist CAAS and Chinese agricultural industries. Introduction The National Landcare Program is a key part of the Australian Government s commitment to natural resource management (NRM). NRM South is one of 56 natural resource management organisations in Australia and one of three in Tasmania. The role of NRM South is to protect, sustainably manage and improve the natural resources for the shared environmental, social and economic benefit of the community. In this Feature Interview, FDI takes the opportunity to discuss with Mr Ken Moore, the Sustainable Agriculture Business Development Coordinator of NRM South, what is believed to be a unique collaboration between NRM South and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) which has been setup through the University of Tasmania.

2 Interview FDI What relationship does your NRM have with the CAAS? How long has this been in place and how did it come about? Mr Ken Moore NRM South, in association with the University of Tasmania, has established an Australia- China Sustainable Agricultural Partnership with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS). China is Tasmania s largest export market for our agricultural produce and is also our leading source of overseas tourists and students. Chinese consumers and investors will be increasingly important for the growth of Tasmanian agriculture as envisaged in the Sustainable Agri-Food Plan for the value of the agri-food sector to grow to $10B per annum. The visit of the Chinese President, Xi Jinping, to Hobart in November 2014 highlighted the opportunities for Tasmania in developing further the cultural and economic relationships with China. His visit also increased awareness of Tasmania in China, particularly our pristine environment and premium food and beverage products. In this context, NRM South took the initiative to develop a relationship with the Chinese Academy CAAS to progress knowledge and practice in sustainable agriculture and natural resource management consistent with future plans in Tasmania and China. CAAS is the pre-eminent agricultural research organisation in China, performs regulatory and policy roles for the Chinese Government and delivers the Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Program that aims to modernise and transform agricultural practices to be more sustainable and environmentally friendly than in the past. In my capacity as the Sustainable Agriculture Consultant to NRM South and now the Chairman of the Australia-China Sustainable Agricultural Partnership, I went to China four times between April 2016 and June 2017 to build a relationship with CAAS and to promote Tasmanian and Australian expertise in sustainable agriculture, natural resource management and environmental rehabilitation. CAAS officials and scientists were extremely impressed with Australia s sustainable agriculture research and practices and the regional natural resource management system as an innovative way of transforming science into on-ground practice through mobilising partnerships with industry and research stakeholders and engaging with communities. These visits than led to the President of CAAS, Professor Tang Huajun, along with a delegation of leading CAAS scientists to visit Hobart from November President Tang signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NRM South for future cooperation in sustainable agriculture and natural resource management and with the University of Tasmania for research and educational exchange. NRM South also signed a MoU with the University of Tasmania for ongoing collaboration in Tasmanian agriculture and natural resource management. The MoUs were witnessed by the Premier of Tasmania, the Hon. Will Hodgman MP. A copy of the CAAS-NRM South MoU can be found at this link Memorandum of Understanding. FDI How does the relationship work? Mr Ken Moore The first agreed activity under the MoUs was for NRM South, the University of Tasmania and CAAS to co-host a Sustainable Agricultural Technology Forum in Hobart from 30 April to 4 May A copy of the Forum Program is available from this link Australia-China Sustainable Agricultural Technology Forum The Forum objectives were to: Page 2 of 7

3 Further develop the relationship and partnership between CAAS, NRM South/Australian regional NRM organisations and the University of Tasmania. To deliver a highly successful Forum that was formalised through MOUs between CAAS and NRM South, CAAS and the University of Tasmania and NRM South and the University of Tasmania. To develop a series of joint collaborative RD&E projects under the Forum themes. Figure 1. The signing of the NRM South and CAAS Memorandum of Understanding. Sponsorship of the Forum was provided by the Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (grant under the Australia China Agricultural Cooperation Agreement), the University of Tasmania, the Tasmanian Department of State Growth, the Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Regional Development Australia Tasmania, Van Diemen s Land Company Farms Tasmania and regional natural resource management organisations from Tasmania, Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and Queensland. CAAS sent 21 delegates which is the largest number they have ever sent to a professional meeting abroad. The delegation was led by Professor Mei Xurong, a Vice President of CAAS. The other delegates were from three CAAS Headquarters Departments (International Cooperation, Technology Transfer and Research Management) and seven CAAS Research Institutes. Twenty NRM delegates attended from NRM Regions Australia; NRM South, NRM North, Cradle Coast Authority and Derwent Catchment NRM (Tasmania); South Coast NRM, Rangelands NRM WA, South West Catchments Council and NRM Regions WA (Western Australia); Murray Darling Basin NRM SA, NRM South East SA, Rangelands Alliance SA, Department of Environment and Water (South Australia); Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (Victoria); and NRM Regions Queensland. Another 40 delegates were from the University of Tasmania, agribusiness and industry associations. The Forum raised the profile of Tasmanian and Australian agriculture and NRM through keynote political and expert speakers. The five-day forum was opened by the Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman with opening addresses by Senator Anne Ruston, the Australian Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, and Professor Mei Xurong, the CAAS Vice President and leader of their delegation. Page 3 of 7

4 Senator Ruston said: Australia and China must adopt innovative, sustainable agricultural practices to meet the global demand for a reliable food supply. She said the Forum is an opportunity for us to partner at a government, industry and organisational level to develop new sustainable agriculture practises that are at the cutting edge of science, technology and innovation. Senator Ruston also commented that the Forum will further strengthen our already strong relationship, as well as help Australian agricultural producers realise the opportunities under the China Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA). Figure 2. CAAS committed to host the second Australia China Sustainable Agricultural Technology Forum in China in Major General Jeffery, the National Advocate for Soil Health, gave a keynote address on how the Australia- China strategy was addressing substantial land management problems faced by Australian and China, and a global strategy for regenerating agricultural landscapes. He went on to explain how agricultural exchanges, such as the Forum, could act as a powerful catalyst in enhancing the relationship between our two countries. Forum delegates were given a welcome reception by the Governor of Tasmania, Her Excellency, Professor Kate Warner, and her husband Mr Richard Warner at Government House. Professor Warner and Mr Warner champion Tasmanian agriculture and natural resource management as reflected in the Governor s speech. Page 4 of 7

5 During the Forum, CAAS delegates frequently referred to Australia s sustainable agriculture research and practices and the regional natural resource management system as an innovative way of transforming science into on-ground practice through mobilising partnerships with industry and research stakeholders and engaging with communities. In conjunction with scientific presentations by CAAS and University of Tasmania s researchers, the NRM delegates provided practical experiences in delivering improved outcomes for agricultural natural resources while maintaining or increasing productivity. Their practical knowledge and real-world applications and achievements were well received by all delegates. CAAS Vice President and Delegation Leader Professor Mei Xurong requested that collaborative projects developed during the Forum should not only be about research, but also the application of research into practice and as such comprise an integral natural resource management component in all projects. FDI What are the major areas of interest now and into the future? Mr Ken Moore The Forum established an Australia China Sustainable Agriculture Partnership that seeks to tackle the problems of agricultural natural resource degradation in both countries that will enable sustainable production of safe and nutritious food for Chinese, Australian and world consumers. Collaborative projects led by CAAS and Australian (NRM regions and the University of Tasmania) delegates were planned during the Forum and since then additional areas for collaboration have been discussed. The scope of the Partnership is shown in Figure 2 covering five priority activity areas and 14 potential projects in: Soil health and moisture; Waterways and catchments; Bee health and pollination services; Horticulture and viticulture; Food and animal sciences. Soils for Life are leading a project to develop Australian and Chinese scientific capability for measuring soil carbon sequestration levels over large agricultural areas (broad acre), quickly, accurately and cost effectively. Such a system would have application for sustainable agriculture land management in Australia and China as well as globally. It would be applicable to rangelands, cropping, forestry and livestock. as well as serve to quantify carbon dioxide abatement for qualification of tradeable carbon credits to address climate change targets and liabilities. Soils for Life will be holding a workshop in Hobart later in 2018 led by General Jeffery to develop the details of the project with leading soil scientists, NRM South, CAAS and other potential partners, including Australian and Chinese companies. This project has enormous ramifications and benefits for Australia and China which is aiming to develop the same soil carbon measurement method applicable in both countries. The outcome could be that Australian expertise, knowledge and technologies in this important scientific field will be in demand in China for implementation of the new China Emission Trading Scheme. China recently announced that it will begin to introduce a national emissions trading scheme for atmospheric carbon dioxide abatement this year as a Page 5 of 7

6 market mechanism to meet climate change emission reduction targets for the Government and carbon liabilities for carbon emitting companies. Soils for Life considers that the promise for more market-oriented climate policy and commercial carbon trading schemes means the need to be able to measure soil carbon sequestration for qualification of tradeable carbon credits in the world s largest greenhouse gas emitting country is enormous. It could mean this leading-edge Australia China Sustainable Agriculture Partnership soil carbon measurement project would position Australia as a national leader in the method to measure soil carbon in accordance with the Chinese and Australian requirements for qualification and validation of carbon credits for farmers. In Australia, this is already occurring under the Emissions Reduction Fund. In June 2018, a further senior delegation led by the President and Dean of the CAAS Graduate School, Professor Liu Daqun, visited Hobart to further strengthen the collaboration between CAAS, NRM South and the University of Tasmania including the establishment of a joint PhD program and funding arrangements for the collaboration. During this visit, additional projects in food safety and innovation, and sustainable horticulture viticulture production were planned. The Australia China Sustainable Agriculture Partnership is expected to result in new business opportunities in China for Tasmanian and Australian agricultural and natural resource management expertise to assist CAAS and Chinese agricultural industries in the agricultural modernisation process and help achieve Chinese Government agricultural targets (e.g. zero growth in the use of agricultural chemicals and fertilisers by 2020). The Partnership will stimulate further trade between China, Tasmania and mainland Australia in high value agricultural products that can be marketed on the basis of sustainable production practices and evidence of provenance. Enhanced trade opportunities in agricultural services are expected from China s increasing demand for high quality agricultural knowledge, research, technologies, education, training and agri-tourism. Through this collaboration, NRM South, the University of Tasmania, Australian regional NRM bodies, Soils for Life and other Australian companies are able to partner with the world s most populous nation and through this deal with some of the global challenges of food security, conservation of the world s natural resources and the impact of climate change. About the Interviewee: ***** Ken Moore is the sustainable agriculture consultant leading NRM South's business development. He is based in Hobart. He works with farmers to help them improve farm natural resource management and profit. Ken is a passionate believer in the application of science and technology in agriculture. He loves the use of drones, sensing technologies and social media. In 2012, he was a senior consultant for Inovact Consulting in Canberra with work comprising natural resource management, water and agriculture. Ken is an experienced research manager having worked with the former Land & Water Australia, the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) and Indigenous Business Australia. During the Hawke and Keating Governments, Ken was a Senior Executive Service officer in the primary industries and energy portfolio. This was a period of major rural policy reform under the Minister, the Hon. Page 6 of 7

7 John Kerin, AO. Ken served on several national boards and committees, was a member of Australian trade missions to Thailand (1988) and China (1989) and was one of two Australian delegates to the World Bank on the privatisation of agriculture in the former Soviet republics in Ken is also a former Executive Director with the Western Australian Department of Agriculture. He occupied the funder role in the WA Department and was responsible for research budget allocations, strategic planning, policy and government relations. Ken is an Adjunct Fellow at the Australian National University's National Institute for Rural and Regional Australia. He has been a regular speaker at conferences and seminars around Australia and interviewee for ABC regional radio on community development and natural resource management issues. Ken owns a farming property in south west Australia with two sisters, and from 1996 to 2008 was involved in community development with his birth community, Northcliffe, WA. ***** Any opinions or views expressed in this paper are those of the individual interviewee, unless stated to be those of Future Directions International. The views of the interviewee are his personal view as author of the book and are not of his current and past employers. Published by Future Directions International Pty Ltd. 80 Birdwood Parade, Dalkeith WA 6009, Australia. Tel: Fax: info@futuredirections.org.au Web: Page 7 of 7