Bold ideas and agrifood innovation take centre stage in Qld at evoke^AG. 2025

Day 2 media highlights 

• Close to 2,000 delegates from 27 countries; the largest evoke event to date.
• More than 100 innovators showcased practical solutions to the most pressing challenges facing global agriculture
• Andrew Bate, Olympia Yarger, Bren Smith, David Jochinke and Cathy McGowan AO chosen to answer the big bold questions gathered from attendees during the course of the event

AgriFutures evoke^AG. 2025 today welcomed back a global audience of close to 2000 delegates to the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, showcasing exceptional innovators and innovation across the national and international agrifood tech community.

During the two-day event, more than 95 speakers took to the stage to challenge the status quo, spark provocative debates and present bold ideas, scientific discoveries and game changing technology to solve the biggest issues facing agriculture across the globe.

The second day of Asia Pacific’s leading agrifood innovation event saw a jam-packed lineup of dynamic discussions on topics from quantum computing’s potential impact on the future of food, the revolutionary potential of AI, automation and robotics in agriculture, how 3D ocean farming could transform seafood production, and agriculture’s pivotal role in addressing climate change.

A remarkable calibre of talent and innovation was showcased over the two days of evoke^AG., solidifying its reputation as the launchpad for ideas that drive real-world impact, connecting scientists, innovators, startups and scaleups with producers, global investors and commercial partners.

Queensland, with its $23 billion agriculture industry made the perfect backdrop for this year’s event. Known as a powerhouse of food, fibre, and agricultural innovation, the state has a rich history of industrial and agricultural innovation, shaped by the communities who drive these sectors forward.

The Hon. Tony Perrett MP and Cathy McGowan AO at evoke^AG. 2025.

Host State Partner Queensland Government’s Minister for Primary Industries, the Hon. Tony Perrett MP, addressed the audience today about the Crisafulli Government’s bold and ambitious target to increase agricultural output to $30 billion by 2030.

“We will not meet this target without embracing innovation, which is why the Crisafulli Government is daring to be different,” Minister Perrett said.

“We are supporting and employing the most cutting-edge research aimed at solving challenges, maximising on-farm productivity, and ensuring our farming, forestry and fisheries environments are healthy.”

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said Brisbane’s vibrant lifestyle and reputation as a global leader in agriculture and innovation made it the ideal host for evoke^AG. 2025.

“With local operations leading significant global breakthroughs in food production and agritech, we are thrilled to bring this world class event to Brisbane,” Mr Schrinner said.

“Brisbane sits at the heart of a thriving food region, supplying ingredients and agricultural products to the world through one of Australia’s most efficient freight networks and our 24/7 airport.”

“Hosting evoke^AG. 2025 will strengthen our region’s reputation in sustainable agriculture and open up new trade opportunities, making it even easier to do business in Brisbane.”

“With our world-class venues, well-appointed facilities, and vibrant lifestyle precincts like Howard Smith Wharves, Fish Lane and South Bank, we look forward to offering a seamless experience to delegates from across the globe.”

Tim Hunt, Dr. Susan Orgill, Hugh Killen, Michelle Gortan and Carly Burnham in the ‘Can agriculture save climate?’ session at evoke^AG. 2025.

Today’s action-packed program included a combination of thought-provoking panel discussions, interactive sessions and interactive workshops.

Speaking as part of the ‘Can agriculture save our climate’ panel discussion, CEO of the Macdoch Foundation, Michelle Gortan said in order for that to happen an urgent overhaul of Australia’s food system is required.

“Many large food production companies rely on large-scale industrial agriculture that is agrochemical-heavy and fossil-fuel intense in its manufacturing,” Ms Gortan said.

“Our current food production system is in the main producing food that is not only emissions intensive and degrading nature but superfluous – and in some cases – harmful to human health.

“If we say that the role of agriculture is to feed the world, we can no longer be agnostic about the kind of food produced and the cost to nature and the environment.

“The only thing that will move the dial and change our food system is conflict-free policy making and research that is ambitious, bold and designed to service communities, healthy citizens, nature and climate.”

Speaking on the same panel was Impact Ag Australia Managing Director and CEO, Hugh Killen, who said the farm of the future will need two balance sheets, one valuing agriculture production, and the other, natural capital

“Banks are beginning to think about what incentives they can put in place to support farmers and farm businesses in their (regenerative) transitions,” Mr Killen said.

“This second balance sheet is something that needs to be brought into the valuation of farms, as it could be a game changer moving forward.

For more information, interviews, and to access recordings of additional sessions from Day 1 and Day 2, please contact the evoke^AG. media team (contacts below).

ENDS

ANNOUNCEMENTS MADE AT EVOKE TODAY

• Queensland Minister for Primary Industries, the Hon. Tony Perrett MP, announced a bursary for evoke in honour of the late Liz Alexander’s contributions to agricultural innovation.
• Indigenous bioelectricity startup Rainstick secured $3 million in seed capital this week at evokeAG to go towards their new commercial seed treatment facility and fund commercial grower trials.
  
• Agrifood tech VC firm Mandalay Ventures has announced its first strategic investor – Malaysian fresh food group Segi Fresh. As part of a limited strategic partnership, Segi Fresh will invest in Mandalay’s Fund I and embed Mandalay-backed agritech innovations across its fresh food supply chain to drive efficiencies. Read more here.
• Farmers2Founders (F2F) unveiled a new program together with its Singapore-based sister company AgriFood Futures (A+F) and New Zealand partner Agnition Ventures, the corporate venture arm of Ravensdown. Read more here and images here.
• Platform10, the Global Specialty Crops Biological Platform, launched its Global Grower Field Trial Network this week at the Brisbane Biological Symposium and at the evokeAG 2025 Conference.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES

Jordana King, p: 0426 294 221, e: [email protected]

Harriet Bawden, p: 0488 787 849, e: [email protected]

MEDIA NOTES

About evoke^AG

evoke^AG. is powered by AgriFutures Australia and funded by the Australian Government, Platinum Partner Elder, Host City Partner, Brisbane Economic Development Agency and Host State Partner, Queensland Government.

The event is a leading global agrifood technology and innovation event that unites the agrifood innovation community across the Asia Pacific and around the world. It is a showcase of bold ideas, groundbreaking innovations and disruptive science driving agriculture towards a better future.

The 2025 evoke^AG. theme, Common Ground calls upon the global agrifood tech and innovation community to unite on common ground to solve shared challenges and seize future opportunities, together.

The 2025 event is set to take place at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on 18 and 19 February, shining a spotlight on Queensland’s $23bn agricultural industry.

evoke^AG. 2025 is an invitation to founders, funders and adopters to break out of siloes, to come together to find common ground, and collectively translate innovation into action.