The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) is an Australian Government statutory agency in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade portfolio, reporting to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. ACIAR was established under the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research Act 1982 (Cth),(the ACIAR Act), as amended, to assist and encourage Australian agricultural scientists to use their skills to identify and find solutions to agricultural problems of developing countries. ACIAR forms part of the Australian Government's overseas aid program.