Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)
ACIAR is the primary international funding agency for the SACA project. As a statutory authority within the Australian Government's Foreign Affairs and Trade portfolio, ACIAR supports research partnerships that address agricultural challenges in developing countries, with a focus on food security, natural resource management, and climate adaptation.
ACIAR's Role in SACA
Comprehensive overview of ACIAR's contribution, strategic alignment, and legacy in sustainable agriculture development
Contribution to SACA
- Provides core funding for project implementation, research activities, and international collaboration.
- Supports PhD and MS fellowships, particularly in social science and gender-inclusive research.
- Facilitates technical expertise from Australian institutions, including Murdoch University.
- Oversees project governance, monitoring, and evaluation through its Research Program Managers.
Strategic Alignment
ACIAR's investment in SACA aligns with its broader goals of:
- Enhancing natural resource management in smallholder farming systems.
- Promoting climate-smart agriculture and sustainable intensification.
- Building research capacity in partner countries.
- Supporting gender equity and inclusive development.
Legacy and Continuity
SACA builds on a long-standing partnership between ACIAR and Bangladesh, particularly through previous projects such as:
- LWR/2010/080 – Conservation Agriculture in rice-based systems.
- LWR/2016/136 – Nutrient Management for Diversified Cropping.
- SRFSI (CSE/2011/077) – Sustainable and Resilient Farming Systems Intensification.
These projects laid the foundation for SACA's focus on long-term impacts, scaling strategies, and inclusive service delivery.