#evokeAG. 2023

Rising fuel costs and the growing momentum towards net zero emissions are putting renewable energy sources on the radar for Australia’s diesel-dependant farmers.

The search is on to find the next crop of emerging leaders, dedicated to the continuous improvement and prosperity of Australian agriculture and its value chain. Applications are now open and close Monday, 4 September 2023.

The Australian Government set a target of net zero emissions by 2050, there are industry-driven sustainability frameworks for key agricultural commodities, and momentum is building to account for natural capital in our farming systems. At the same time, consumers want more information about how their food is produced, and banks are looking at ‘green’ credentials.

At evoke^AG. 2023, two end-to-end players from the beef and grain supply chains outlined why sustainability matters to them and what they’re doing to address it.

As Queensland ramps up its ambition to become a “world-leading agtech destination”, a growing number of innovative local players are bursting onto the national scene. Here’s four that stole the spotlight in Startup Alley at evoke^AG. 2023.

Farming in today’s economic climate is a battle between productivity and sustainability but what if there was a way for these two objectives to be achieved in tandem? Is it possible to grow economic prosperity at the same time as we diminish our carbon footprint? Could we revitalise Australia’s landscapes by the way we farm them? As it turns out, the answer lies in the hands of our farmers.

Billions of dollars and decades of experience in venture capital come together as five leading global investors talk agrifood tech – and their outlook is bright.
evoke^AG. 2023 set the scene for this high-powered discussion about what’s impacting agrifood tech investment.

Global investment in agrifood technology has steadily increased over the past decade or so. So, what’s driving this growth? Between decarbonisation, supply chains and innovation in the field (literally) big opportunities lay ahead.

The Federal Budget includes $1 billion over four years on measures to keep out pests and disease to protect our agricultural industries. Many would argue the recognition of biosecurity as a funding priority is well overdue.

At evoke^AG. 2023, a panel of experts highlighted the value of biosecurity and the enhanced technology that will help us detect and respond to threats more effectively.

Across the globe, investment and interest in the untapped potential of biomanufacturing* is at an all-time high. From Presidential Executive Orders to advance America’s bioeconomy, to multimillion-dollar funding announcements in states across Australia, governments around the world are pouring resources into the research and development needed to drive this burgeoning industry forward.

At first glance, AgFunder’s Global AgriFoodTech Investment Report makes for pretty bleak reading, showing a 44 per cent drop in investment in the sector in 2022 compared to 2021. But beyond the headline figures, there’s a more nuanced story to tell – and looking forward, it’s not all bad news.

In this evoke^AG. 2023 podcast series you can hear from global change makers and thought leaders who examine how innovation and tech intersect to improve our agrifood sector. These conversations tackle some of the big challenges for our food, farmers and natural resources, exploring tech-savy solutions and opportunities to drive change.

How can making milk without cows benefit Australian dairy farmers?