Improved domestic profitability and export competitiveness of selected fruit value chains in the southern Philippines and Australia program

The goal of the Program is to contribute to economic growth in the Philippines through increased income and improved livelihoods of tropical fruit growers in southern Philippines. The purpose of the Program is to improve the smallholder and industry profitability and export competitiveness of selected tropical fruits industries in the southern Philippines. Fruit crops to be targeted are mango, papaya, durian and jackfruit. The primary audience for the outcomes of this Program are medium to large scale commercial fruit growers and farmers predominantly in the regions of Leyte (VIII), northern Mindanao/Cagayan de Oro (X) and southern Mindanao/Davao (XI).

ACIAR Pacific Agribusiness Research for Development Initiative (PARDI)

PARDI provides a platform for stronger economic growth of Pacific island countries. The initiative aims to substantially improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in the Pacific. Benefit to Queensland includes: 1) looking at supply chain (value chain) innovations for tropical horticultural commodities in both Queensland and the South Pacific to maintain competitiveness. 2) undertaking research on a product called canarium nut which is grown in the Solomon Islands. It is a new potential high value speciality product (similar to macadamia) in which macadamia industry partners are participating. 3) involvement in specific targeted supply chain business improvement with industry partners.

The Potential for a New Value Adding Industry for Noni Tropical Fruit Producers

Morinda citrifolia (noni) grows widely throughout the Pacific and is native to Australia. It is a source of traditional medicine amongst Coastal Aboriginal Communities in Cape York, the Pacific Islands and South East Asia, and in recent years has experienced significant economic growth worldwide through a variety of health and cosmetic claims. The largest markets for noni are North America, Europe, Japan, Mexico, Asia and Australia with the worldwide market for these products estimated at US$400 million.

Increasing Australian impoundment fisheries potential - Habitat enhancement to improve angling and productivity in impoundments

To investigate strategies for increasing Australian impoundment fisheries productivity and improving recreational angling and regional economic growth