On August 1, 2024, in Hanoi, the Australian Embassy, representing the Australian Government, in collaboration with the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam, announced a funding package for three advanced agricultural technology projects through the Innovation Partnership Grants component of the Aus4Innovation program.
The funding package, worth AUD 1.45 million, aims to support the application of advanced technologies to enhance agricultural productivity and promote sustainable agricultural practices in Vietnam.
APPLYING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TO AGRICULTURE RESEARCH
The latest partnership funding round of the Aus4Innovation program, managed by CSIRO – Australia’s national science agency, focuses on the urgent theme of “High-tech Innovation to Address Challenges in Agriculture for Sustainable Development.”
Amid the challenges faced by modern agriculture, this funding round seeks proposals for high-tech solutions to enhance agricultural productivity, develop markets for agricultural products, adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change, and promote social inclusion.
The three funded projects demonstrate the importance of research collaboration between the innovation ecosystems in Australia and Vietnam in achieving technological advancements to foster sustainable agriculture.
The first project, “Enhancing Crop Monitoring and Information Access for Smallholder Farmers and Management Officers in Vietnam,” is a collaboration between the University of Southern Queensland and the Vietnam National Space Center. It utilizes geospatial technology to provide critical crop information to improve productivity. The project has been granted a budget of AUD 487,719.
The second project, “Active Carbon Farming with AI and Digital Twins for Sustainable Agriculture in Thanh Hoa Province,” is undertaken by Griffith University and Hanoi University of Technology. They will develop a digital platform supported by AI to enable more accurate quantification of greenhouse gas emissions and promote carbon farming, contributing to sustainable agricultural practices and creating new revenue opportunities through carbon credits. This project has been allocated a budget of AUD 480,658.
The third project, “Strengthening Smallholder Farmers’ Capacity through AI-based Certification and Traceability Standards for Sustainable Agriculture in Vietnam,” will be carried out by Griffith University in cooperation with the National Institute for Standards and Quality. With a funding allocation of AUD 480,134, this project aims to enhance agricultural standards through AI and digitization, ensuring effective farm monitoring and product traceability.
A 10-YEAR, 33.5 MILLION AUD PLAN
Speaking at the announcement event, His Excellency Andrew Goledzinowski, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, congratulated the funded projects and highlighted that these initiatives embody the spirit of innovation and collaboration between Australia and Vietnam.
“Through the Innovation Partnership Grants of the Aus4Innovation program, we are not only addressing emerging challenges but also investing in the long-term sustainability of Vietnam’s agriculture sector,” shared Ambassador Andrew Goledzinowski. “This reflects our broader commitment to supporting Vietnam through targeted funding activities: realizing initiatives that harness technology to address emerging and long-term challenges.”
Mr. Bui The Duy, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, remarked that the successful implementation of these projects would mark a significant step forward in Vietnam’s ambition to become a leader in applying high-tech solutions in agriculture. This collaborative endeavor underscores Vietnam’s commitment to embracing innovative technologies that bring about substantial economic and social benefits while laying the foundation for a more sustainable and prosperous future.
Dr. Kim Wimbush, CSIRO’s Counsellor to Vietnam and Director of the Aus4Innovation program, emphasized that the recipients of Aus4Innovation funding also benefit from CSIRO’s support through connections to networks of innovators and industry partners, guidance on gender, disability, and social inclusion, and access to experts in partnership support to ensure the success of the projects and strengthen collaboration between Australian and Vietnamese organizations in each venture.
According to Dr. Wimbush, the Innovation Partnership Grants of the Aus4Innovation program is a strategic initiative to promote innovative technology solutions in Vietnam. In the previous three funding rounds, 12 projects across diverse fields such as agriculture and food, healthcare, disaster management, and the environment received a total of AUD 5.3 million. These projects have achieved tangible outcomes, making significant contributions to addressing emerging challenges in Vietnam’s innovation ecosystem.
Through these funding rounds, the Aus4Innovation program not only fosters groundbreaking innovations at the grassroots level but also builds a community of pioneering innovators in both countries, laying the foundation for future collaborative endeavors.
“Aus4Innovation is a pioneering 10-year program (2018-2028) with a budget of 33.5 million AUD aimed at strengthening Vietnam’s innovation system to support comprehensive and sustainable socio-economic development. The program is funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), co-funded and managed by CSIRO – Australia’s national science agency, and implemented through a strategic partnership with the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam.”
