Future

evoke^AG., Asia-Pacific’s premier agrifood innovation event, has today launched its 2026 Program and Startup cohort, featuring a dynamic mix of bold discussions, thought-provoking keynotes and groundbreaking enterprises shaping the future of agriculture.

Australian Agritech Association (AusAgritech), Australia’s peak body for agriculture technology has announced a strategic partnership with AgriFutures’ flagship international event, evoke^AG. 2026. The collaboration will strengthen Australia’s position as a global leader in agritech innovation and provide new opportunities for scaleups, startups and investors across the sector.

Oceans cover more than 70% of the planet, comprise 90% of the Earth’s biosphere, transport 80% of global goods, and host sea cables carrying 98% of global internet traffic. Oceans generate an estimated $1.5 trillion in economic value each year – while also regulating our climate, producing 50% of our oxygen, and directly supporting the livelihoods of 3 billion people. Yet warming waters, biodiversity loss, pollution, and overextraction are placing unprecedented strain on these systems.

Instead of making predictions, this essay maps dependencies. Rather than claiming "X will happen by 2030," it asks: "What conditions must align for X to become real?" Four major forces get the dependency treatment: GLP-1 appetite suppressants reshaping food demand, AI tools accelerating product development, regenerative agriculture's climb out of pilot purgatory, and hybrid proteins as the pragmatic compromise the industry doesn't want to admit it needs. For each, I identify the specific economic, regulatory, or behavioral conditions that must resolve favorably for the technology to scale - and what happens if they don't.

AgriFutures Australia has confirmed Elders as Platinum Partner and the Victorian Government as Host State Partner for evoke^AG. 2026 reinforcing sustained national support for Australia’s leading agrifood innovation event. The partnerships will help deliver the two-day event on Tuesday, 17 and Wednesday, 18 February 2026 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.