#Agrifood

AgriFutures evoke^AG. has today revealed an exciting lineup of speakers for evoke^AG. 2025, bringing together the most innovative minds and disruptors from across the agrifood supply chain.

evoke^AG., Asia-Pacific’s annual convergence of agrifood innovation, science and technology has today launched its 2025 program, packed with daring discussions, immersive sessions and game-changing innovations.

Food and agriculture, like no other industry, has a profound impact on the health of people and the planet. The cost of not looking ahead and being thoughtful about the accumulative effect of your business on the future is far higher than in most non-food industries.

Circus vet. Pecan farmer. Research manager. Inaugural CEO of the CRC for Irrigation Futures. And now, Co-Founder of a vertically integrated beef business, co-owner of a macadamia orchard developer, and director of a grain supply business.

Diverse as these occupations might seem – one thread runs through Matthew Durack’s varied career: the quest for transformation. Here, the Queensland allrounder shares learnings from his 30+ year journey. Including why past experience is no predictor of future success.

In industries like technology, constant product and experience reinvention is par for the course and expected by its consumers. In food, legacy FMCG especially, products that succeed tend to stay the shame. How does this culture of maintaining the status quo in food product innovation have implications for the future of food? 

With applications for the 2025 evoke^AG. Startup Program opening in September, we’re checking back in with past participants to find out where they are now – and what better place to start than our inaugural 2019 cohort?
In this final article of our series, evoke^AG. contributor Casey Dunn sat down with Hargol FoodTech founder and CEO, Dror Tamir, to hear why the Israeli innovator thinks locust protein is the B2B ingredient food manufacturers have been waiting for.
And how inadvertently reviving a 2,000-year-old tradition has unlocked a loyal B2C market, too.

Where once investment in plant-based meat innovation seemed unstoppable, it seemed the glaze had started to wear off. However, the Food Frontier 2023 State of the Industry report into the Australian industry paints a picture of evolution, growth and — ultimately — a strong future.
The Australian sector is maturing, beyond the buzzwords and bold promises, settling into the rhythm of a functioning industry. But change is afoot.

This week we bring you our evoke^AG. 2024 series with Tress Walmsley and Ponsi Trivisvavet joining our contributor Jayne Cuddihy in conversation to explore how they're working together to unlock the full potential of seed.

Finite resources, demand for sustainable production and the need to recycle and re-use are driving the move to a circular economy with potential benefits for the planet, producers and consumers.
Here thought leaders already putting circularity into practice unpick what’s needed to take the discussion beyond waste management to value creation.

Carbon is the currency of modern agriculture, so it’s no surprise that attendees at AgriFutures evoke^AG. 2024 were keen to know how Australia’s ag sector can overcome its stubbornly slow adoption of low-carbon solutions. As we hurtle towards 2030 (D-Day for most decarbonisation pledges both in Australia and internationally) market and regulatory pressures to reduce GHG emissions are bearing down upon the agrifood supply chain. Despite the urgency to respond, Australian producers aren’t yet flocking to low carbon production.

Here, top academics, early adopters, and sustainable livestock feed innovators share their truths on why adoption is lagging, and how we can drive faster progress.

Youth climate rallies, rising costs of living, food insecurity and farmers taking tractors to the streets in protest. To solve the world’s environmental problems Dr Lewis Akenji, Managing Director of the Hot or Cool Institute, says we need to tackle social tensions first – and that means addressing food systems sustainability with a five-step approach for a future-fit agrifood culture.

We often hear about the “cutting edge” or the most advanced technology or product but what about something that’s so radical and un-tested that it’s at the “bleeding edge”?
That kind of innovation can fill a gap in the market and deliver significant premiums but comes with risk.
A diverse group from the agrifood supply chain, both in Australian and export markets, share their insight in developing something new and finding a market willing to pay for it.