CDU strengthens China partnerships to drive sustainable agriculture and aquaculture research

Chinese delegates visited Darwin in August as part of a Charles Darwin University (CDU) project between Australia and China on tropical aquaculture and cropping.

The project, Facilitating Collaboration between Australia and China in Tropical Aquaculture and Cropping Systems for Climate-Smart Sustainable Agriculture Production with Traceable Products, is funded by National Foundation for Australia-China Relations, which is part of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

This initiative is a collaboration between CDU and leading Chinese institutions, including Shantou University and Hainan University.

The project is focused on enhancing research and education partnerships in agriculture and aquaculture, with particular attention to sustainable practices and environmental resilience.

Research Institute for Northern Agriculture (RINA) professors Sunil Kadri and Stephen Xu hosted a packed week for the delegates, which included a series of special seminars—one focused on Emerging Pollutants in Coastal Waters.

During their visit, the delegates toured several research facilities, including the Northern Territory Government Berrimah Farm Research Facility, TERN Howard Springs research site, Coastal Plains Research Farm, Darwin Aquaculture Centre, and CSIRO prawn pond research facility.

Delegates also presented at the Australian Society for Fish Biology Conference, alongside CDU and Indigenous researchers.

They also met with CDU colleagues such as Vice-Chancellor Professor Scott Bowman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Steve Rogers, and CDU Global Director Adam Lam, as well as external partners, including the Ecological Economy and Water Catchment group.