AgriFutures Australia set to ignite global agrifood tech innovation, with a star-studded line up heading to Adelaide for evoke^AG. in 2023

To be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre on 21-22 February, evoke^AG. 2023 Down to Earth will bring the agrifood tech community together to discuss how global agrifood innovation and tech intersect to impact our food, farmers and the natural resources which sustain them.

RELATED: Adelaide announced as host city for evoke^AG. 2023 – Asia Pacific’s premier agrifood tech event

The jam-packed two-day program involves more than 100 speakers from eight different countries, who’ll lead 1,500 delegates on a deep dive into the issues, trends and opportunities that will shape food and farming into the future.

“The 2023 evoke^AG. program has been carefully constructed to review the needs of our rural industries and challenge our perception of what the sector can achieve in the next five to ten years,” said AgriFutures Australia, Managing Director, John Harvey.

“The team has worked hard to gather the world’s best change agents in one room – entrepreneurs, innovators, investors, researchers, and producers – who will inspire new ways of thinking and drive a more profitable, productive, and sustainable future for Australian agriculture.”

Off the back of the cancellation of evoke^AG. 2021 and 2022 events (Perth and Sydney), Mr Harvey believes next year’s event will play an even more crucial role in catalysing globally relevant conversations about the future of food and farming.

“Our 2023 event is a celebration of the agritech innovations – and innovative thinking – that can change the way we produce food and fibre.”

Across two-days, speakers will challenge the agricultural and fisheries sectors to push the boundaries of what’s possible – tackling questions like:

• Can entrepreneurs, investors and social change agents deliver the radical change needed to feed a growing population, sustainably?
• How traditional practices are intersecting with innovation to create market demand for indigenous products?
• Can synbio transform ag – one cell at a time?
• Is on-farm data just a ‘digital distraction,’ or can producers leverage it to achieve big results?
• Can autonomous agriculture pay for itself on-farm?
• How can we maximise Australia’s $13B protein opportunity?
• Can we meet consumer demands for carbon neutral clothes?
• Can cow-free milk benefit dairy farmers?
• Are we doing enough on biosecurity to safeguard the sector’s $100B future?

For the third consecutive year, Elders has come onboard as the Platinum Partner for evoke^AG. 2023. With its focus on driving agrifood innovation, evoke^AG. is a natural alignment for the Elders brand, and an even neater fit for the proud South Australian-born agribusiness giant.

RELATED: Icon of Australian agribusiness – Elders – renews platinum partnership for AgriFutures evoke^AG. 2023 event 

“Elders have been powering innovation and growth in Australian agriculture for 183 years,” said CEO Mark Allison. “Elders is thrilled to again support AgriFutures to bring evoke^AG. 2023 to life – and catalyse the next generation of ideas and innovations that will help Australian producers capture the growth opportunities that lay ahead.”

Mark Allison, CEO and Managing Director Elders with John Harvey, Managing Director AgriFutures Australia

2023 marks a first for evoke^AG. as it heads to South Australia, and Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Clare Scriven MLC, cannot wait to welcome delegates to her home state. “The South Australian government is excited to work alongside AgriFutures to showcase the strength of our state’s vibrant agrifood innovation ecosystem.”

“Our government continues to focus on the development, commercialisation and adoption of fit-for-purpose and cost-effective agritech solutions – so I am thrilled to see and hear more from innovators who share our passion for helping agribusinesses to innovate, grow and adopt more sustainable and efficient production practices,” said Minister Scriven.

Another proud South Australian is Penny Schulz, a beef and sheep producer and avid adopter of agritech solutions to improve productivity. “I am excited to be attending next year’s evoke^AG. event, to hear firsthand from innovators whose tech could further boost productivity and efficiency, and help us to achieve our farm sustainability goals. Being able to personally connect with agritech developers is also a great drawcard.”

RELATED: What makes South Australia the state of innovation? 

“As an advocate for industry-led solutions, the thing that excites me most about evoke^AG. is that it brings producers and innovators together to deliver solutions that could drive real impact on-farm. To drive adoption, innovators really need to start with the end-user in mind, collaborating with them through the whole development process to ensure they address our pain points, and deliver the solution we’ll want to adopt. That’s what makes evoke^AG. so unique and so valuable.”

Proud South Australian Penny Schulz, a beef and sheep producer and avid adopter of agritech

Keynote speaker Scott Amyx – Chair and Managing Partner at global venture capital firm Astor Perkins – will take to the stage with a thought-provoking address that will dare delegates to look at how space tech can transform our lives here on Earth.

“From visualising crop health to understanding human behaviour and planning for critical food shortages, combining high-resolution satellite imagery with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) can offer out of this world solutions for food production,” said Mr Amyx.

“Australia is globally-renowned as a leader in agricultural innovation, and I’m excited to join in the conversation to uncover what harnessing tomorrow could look like, today.”

Must see breakout sessions include Eyes Wide Open: Who gets the money and who gets the (carbon) credit? where producers, analysts, regulators, and researchers will weigh into the ‘Great Carbon Debate,’ tackling whether carbon credit markets can help us meet net zero targets, or simply allow emitters to continue releasing greenhouse gases.

And, The Collision of the Four Cs where respected Australian journalist, Barrie Cassidy, will lead a panel of investors, advisors, agribusinesses, and producers on a deep dive into how climate, COVID-19, conflict and cost are driving world trade – and which of these trends we’ll be worrying about most in the future.   

Primary producers will hear why they should learn Data as a second language, as tech experts discuss the possibilities and benefits of connecting data to create new business models and operating efficiencies.

The much-anticipated Future Young Leaders will return to evoke^AG. 2023, with seven young and emerging thought leaders taking to the stage with the passion, ideas and research that could shape the future of food, agriculture and innovation.

RELATED: New crop of Future Young Leaders selected for evoke^AG. 2023

And startups at the event will hear from successful Founders on how taking the road less travelled can help them secure funding when they can’t bootstrap and the venture capital door is closed.

After a two-year hiatus, evoke^AG. 2023 is expected to attract significant local and global funding opportunities for agritech startups, scaleups and innovators.

“We’re thrilled to be welcoming international delegates back to the Asia Pacific region,” said Mr Harvey.

“AgriFutures evoke^AG. 2023 is an opportunity to come together, connect, and hear stories of triumph and opportunity. It lets us hit the ‘reset’ button. To look forward with enthusiasm and optimism,” said Mr Harvey. “I hope to see you all there.”

View the full two-day program, including all speakers and partners involved in evoke^AG. 2023.

Tickets for evoke^AG. 2023 Down to Earth are now on sale here. With the two previous evoke^AG. events selling out, and international delegates jumping at the chance to return in 2023, we recommend getting in early to secure your tickets.

evoke^AG. 2023 is powered by AgriFutures Australia and funded by the Australian Government, Platinum Partner Elders, and Host City Partner the Government of South Australia.

evoke^AG. connects the agrifood innovation community across the Asia Pacific and around the world. We do this by providing a digital platform and a premier agrifood tech event where farmers share their experiences, startups pitch their potential, scientists showcase their discoveries, global business leaders share their insights and industry experts debate their opinions. evoke^AG. provides innovative news and views from around the world that elevates the conversation and connects the agrifood innovation community, every day.