What Are We?

Background

AusIndoBIOCOM is a consortium of institutions whose purpose is to conduct research and related activities in the field of biosecurity management in Northern Australia, Indonesia and surrounding regions. Current members of AusIndoBIOCOM are Cooperative Research Centre for National Plant Biosecurity, Charles Darwin University, Universitas Mahasaraswati, Universitas Kristen Satya Wacana, Universitas Nusa Cendana, Bursa Pengetahuan Kawasan Timur Indonesia (BaKTI) and Pacific Institute for Sustainable Development.

Successful management of a biosecurity threat depends on the length of time between the initial occurrence and its subsequent identification and management measures. In northern Australia and its closest neighbouring country, the eastern regions of Indonesia, local community participation is a key driver in the management of pests and diseases, particularly as awareness and early reporting are important strategies in reducing the time taken to identify an incursion and minimise impacts. In Eastern Indonesia, the most important outcome of the improved identification and management of plant pests and diseases is poverty alleviation through food and income security. Better food and income security depends on improving the food and crops which are directly affected by plant pests and diseases.

The Australian Cooperative Research Centre for National Plant Biosecurity (CRC NPB) has formed a partnership to research the community management of plant biosecurity in northern Australia and Eastern Indonesia.

Pilot study 2007

A pilot study was conducted in 2007 which established:

1. A draft community participation model

The model incorporates sound practice in developing sustainable ways for communities in Eastern Indonesia and Australia to identify and manage the pests and diseases affecting the quality and quantity of crops and food supplies. This work has been internationally peer reviewed and is currently the subject of a joint partnership publication of 2 international journals.

2. Research training needs

A need to strengthen the research training capacity and accompanying training accreditation for the community management of biosecurity in both countries. A Research Award Framework was developed and subsequently endorsed by the Director General of Higher Education for Indonesia, and a pilot of the Award initiated at the Universitas Mahasaraswati, Denpasar.

Project overview 2008-12

Based on the success of the pilot project, the new research project extends the successful food security-focussed partnership into new areas:

• The implementation of the proactive management of plant pests and diseases through the development of a community-based management system in Australia and Indonesia is best achieved through the development of systems to produce models of leadership training for those involved at central, regional and community levels to make new decentralisation policy work for the poor. It will do this through action research in the Greater Papua, NTT and other regions which in turn will lead to leadership capacity building and implementation of innovative breakthrough activities.
• The development, trialling, evaluation and refinement of the 2007 research outcomes (the pilot project) in three regions of Eastern Indonesia and Australia: (a) The Greater Papua, (b) Nusa Tengara Timur (NTT) and (c) remote communities in Northern Australia.
• Cross-cutting research across the whole of Eastern Indonesia (Nusa Tengarra, NTT) into the facilitation of policy/regional/community connections, and the role of women in facilitating biosecurity outcomes.

Partnerships and Management

A Steering Committee with equal representation from the two partner countries act as the lead body connect closely to site level management teams. At the site level, local teams of researchers, in each case led by a PhD student enrolled at Charles Darwin University, will coordinate the research activity and act as liaison points with the Steering Committee.

Project Team

• Dr David Eagling (CRC NPB Research Leader and Deputy CEO)
• Professor Dr Ian Falk (CDU and CRC NPB)
• Mr Petra Karetji (SOFEI/BAKTI)
• Professor Dr Kaler Surata (Universitas Mahasaraswati, Denpasar-Bali)
• Ms Ruth Wallace (CDU and CRC NPB)
• Dr Marthen Ndoen (Universitas Kristen Satya Wacana, Salatiga-Central Java)
• Mr I Wayan Mudita (Universitas Nusa Cendana, West Timor)
• Mr Paul Royce (CDU and CRC NPB)
• Mr Theo Litaay (Universitas Kristen Satya Wacana, Salatiga-Central Java)
• Mrs Eka Martiningsih (Universitas Mahasaraswati, Denpasar-Bali)
• Mrs Helti L. Mampouw (Universitas Kristen Satya Wacana, Salatiga-Central Java)
• Ms Sri Jayantini (Universitas Mahasaraswati, Denpasar-Bali)

Download the Project Brochure here.