Mr. Pugazhendi (TNAU); Mr. Adam Knapp (QFF); Ms. Kaniescka Yogeswaran (WTW); Dr. M.K. Kalarani (TNAU); Dr. Jenny Wang (UniSQ); Prof. Geethalakshmi Vellingiri (TNAU); Dr. K. Bhuvaneswari (TNAU); Dr. Louis Kouadio (UniSQ); Prof. Alagarswamy Senthil (TNAU); Dr. M. Dhasarathan (TNAU); Mr. Bavish Shanmugavel (TNAU/UniSQ); Dr. K. Senthilraja (TNAU)
Under the support of the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF), a team of scientists from the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ), Centre for Applied Climate Sciences and industry partners recently visited the Tamil Nadu region in India to discuss and facilitate the AISRF collaborative project, which aims to develop more effective climate change adaptation processes for smallholder farmers and agribusiness.
The team, consisting of Dr. Jenny Wang (UniSQ), Dr. Louis Kouadio (UniSQ), Mr. Adam Knapp (Queensland Farmers’ Federation), and Ms. Kaniescka Yogeswaran (Willis Towers Watson), and colleagues from the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), held several informed discussions with smallholder farmers, agribusiness stakeholders, and local insurance professionals involved in the coffee, tea, sugarcane, and mango sectors in Tamil Nadu.
Farmers and agribusinesses across Tamil Nadu are being impacted severely by the changes in rainfall patterns (intensity and spatial distribution), extreme weather events (e.g., drought), climate-related increased incidence of plant diseases, and impacts of pests. There is an urgent need for effective risk management strategies and innovative financial products (e.g., weather-based index insurance) to mitigate and adapt to climate change. We endeavor to make this achieved.
QFF representative Adam Knapp said, “Tackling climate change with our important trading partners demands comprehensive research and early consideration of climate risks, impacts and opportunities for low emissions, and climate-resilient development. The work with UniSQ and TNAU is leading the way in collaboration between our two countries”.
As part of the project, Indian researchers and scientists are now planning a reciprocal visit to Australia. Dr. Jenny Wang said, “These visits will enhance further international collaborations and benefit long-term research fund applications and other research deliveries in exploring effective measures for tackling climate change.” More information can be found on the AISRF website.