ADVANCE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE AWARD WINNER 2015
Dr Peter Carberry is a distinguished graduate of the Faculty of Agriculture and Environment awarded with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture with first-class honours in 1982 and later with PhD in Agriculture in 1987 from the University of Sydney.
As a trained agricultural systems scientist, Peter devoted the early years of his career to the establishment of a research network and quantitative systems research tools. He was a founding member of the Nation’s first multi-agency agricultural systems research group (APSRU) and provided much needed intellectual leadership and vision that ultimately lead to the development of the world’s leading agricultural systems simulation platform, APSIM.
With almost three decades of service at CSIRO, Peter excelled as Chief Research Scientist. Peter led the Sustainable Agriculture Flagship’s Theme, spearheading research for development in international agriculture. His specialized knowledge in crop physiology and system models, including his key contributions to the APSIM systems model, significantly impacted the field. He was instrumental in leading large-scale RDE (Research, Development, and Extension) projects focused on enhancing farmer and adviser engagement in South Asia and Africa.
Peter career extended beyond his research. From 2018 to 2020, he served as the Director General of ICRISAT (International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics). In this role, he provided visionary leadership, propelling the organisation’s mission to advance agricultural research and alleviate challenges in semi-arid regions. Preceding his role as Director General, he held the position of Deputy Director General from 2015 to 2018.
Peter assumed the role of General Manager at the Grains Research and Development Corporation from 2020 to July 2023. In this capacity, he oversaw strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing grain research and development.
He is an internationally acclaimed scientist and this is exemplified by the following awards; Fellowship of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, Fellowship of the Australian Institute of Agriculture and Technology, Medal of “Officier de l”Ordre National du Burkina Faso” for his contribution to improving agricultural production and food security and finally the Australian Medal of Agricultural Science from Ag Institute Australia.
As a scientist, Peter has published more than 100 papers in international journals and has presented widely in national and international conferences. A feature of his work is his ability to integrate science into other contexts such as policy frameworks, industry development and community acceptance.
As of July 2023, Peter is retired, leaving behind a lasting impact on agricultural science, research, and development. His dedication, leadership, and contributions continue to shape the field and inspire future generations.
Winner of the Advance Food & Agriculture Award for 2015
> Celebrating the work of winner Peter Carberry | Watch
