Dr. Jose L. Bacusmo, VSU President, participated in the 2011 Philippines Fruit and Vegetable Programs Australian Component Leader’s Annual Meeting held on June 15-17, 2011 in Canberra, Australia. The annual meeting was conducted at the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) Head Office. The meeting provided an avenue for the Australian component leaders and project staff to discuss their accomplishments as well as issues of mutual concern and strategies for fostering synergy and cross-linkages between components, issues associated with the Australian R&D aspects of these components, and a range of operational matters.

Aside from the different presentations by the research program managers based on the specific component projects they are handling (i.e. Fruit Components 1-4, and Vegetable Components 1-5), other important matters discussed during the meeting include: the future of the Philippines fruit and vegetable programs; PCARRD vision for collaborative fruit and vegetable research; current programs, future and opportunities in fruits and vegetables; ACIAR direction; update of PCARRD program meeting and matters arising from the June meeting; and possible extension of the project, new work, and other opportunities.

The occasion also provided an opportunity to VSU President Bacusmo to visit some of Australian vegetable research trials associated with the programs (including the protected cropping work) like the EMAI and CROA sites, white potato farm, Plant Breeding Institute (Cobbity), Gosford Research Station, and Sydney University.

The visit also gave an opportunity to Dr. Bacusmo to be interviewed live by a television and radio broadcaster from SBS Australia, a multicultural and multilingual broadcasting company.

Dr. Bacusmo’s travel to Australia including airfares, accommodations and meals was shouldered by the Australian Government through ACIAR.