Announcing New Crawford Fund Chair

February 21, 2017

The Hon John Anderson AO (pictured right), Australian farmer, former Deputy Prime Minister and passionate supporter of agricultural research, has been appointed as Chair of the Crawford Fund. John has been a member of the Fund’s Board since 2010 and will replace The Hon John Kerin AM, former Minister for Primary Industries and for Trade and Development, who has retired after six years in the role.

“The Fund is a small organisation with a big agenda and heart that fills a significant and very important niche in the agriculture and development landscape,” said Mr Anderson.

“As an Australian farmer first coming to the Fund’s motto of ‘Doing Well by Doing Good’ decades ago, it astounded me just how much Australian farmers benefit from aid money focused on smallholder farmers in developing countries,” said John.

“I want to use my personal networks to spread that good news—the mutual benefit of agricultural research for farmers, and for improved trade and better environmental outcomes—and to engage more young people with passion and enthusiasm in farming and agricultural research at home and abroad.”

“Much more can and should be done with the private sector and I believe that the work of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research is showing just how much impact these partnerships can make for all our benefit.”

John Anderson paid tribute to outgoing Chair John Kerin (pictured right).

“On behalf of the entire Crawford Fund family and broader development, agriculture and food community I thank John for his passionate and determined efforts for the Fund and for international agricultural research,” said Mr Anderson.

“John leaves an enormous legacy that I will pursue with, I hope, as much passion, vigour and determination.”

The Crawford Fund is deeply thankful for John Kerin’s six-year role as chair, and now warmly welcomes John Anderson to the position.

“We can look back at our past, current and future Chairs of the Fund and the role call is testimony to the bi-partisan acknowledgement of the benefits and impact of agricultural research for development—to the benefit of the developing countries and to Australia,” said Dr Denis Blight, Chief Executive of the Crawford Fund.