Supporting our region's agricultural research leaders

Media release

3 March 2014

The Coalition Government has focused our foreign policy on "economic diplomacy" which will support, amongst other aims, to alleviate poverty through sustainable economic growth. Strong agricultural sectors lead to strong economies in our region.

Today I am pleased to be awarding John Dillon Fellowships to nine talented agricultural research managers from the Indian Ocean Asia Pacific who are at the forefront of the development of their agricultural, fisheries and forestry industries in their countries.

The 2014 John Dillon Fellows come from Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Philippines, Lao PDR, Vietnam, China and Pakistan. They are in Australia to take part in a six-week leadership development program which includes opportunities to connect with Australians working in similar fields.

John Dillon Fellowships, part of the Australia Awards, are provided by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and offer up to $25,000 for each recipient. They recognise the late Professor John Dillon, who was one of Australia's leading agricultural economists, and a strong advocate of international agricultural research and collaboration.

The 2014 John Dillon Fellows are key collaborators in ACIAR research programs on coffee and aquaculture in PNG, fisheries and forestry in Indonesia, fresh water fisheries in Lao PDR, vegetables in the Philippines, grasslands and livestock production in China, the dairy industry in Pakistan, and livestock and human health in Vietnam.

Prior to visiting Canberra, the John Dillon Fellows visited agricultural industries and research collaborators in Western Australia and South Australia. They will also travel to research institutions in NSW, Queensland and Tasmania.