#evokeAG. 2024

As 2030 looms, our climate is in crisis, the sustainability targets set by big business seem a mile away – and food producers are being pressured to make up the shortfall. But is on-farm action enough? Or do we need to rethink the entire system that funds agriculture? Here, thought leaders in sustainability and finance unpack the path to a new climate economy, and why – in the defining race of our time – we can’t leave primary producers behind.

This week we bring you our evoke^AG. 2024 series with Olympia Yarger and Sally-Ann Williams joining our contributor Jayne Cuddihy in conversation, exploring everything from the deep tech sector in Australia, to the realities of being a female founder.

Guy Coleman, 29, is the youngest of three, equipping him with the innate ability to share everything perfectly evenly. A self-confessed geek, obsessed with agriculture who grew up dreaming of getting a Clauss Lexion harvester for his birthday (spoiler: it never happened). He’s also an advocate for building on the foundations to get ag tech back to the fundamentals of farmer and community driven innovation.

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.

Six years out from the deadline, we’re already seeing glimpses of how supply chains plan to meet their 2030 carbon pledges. In short: farmers with the lowest carbon footprint will be prioritised, so how do you ensure you’re at the head of the queue? Professor Richard Eckard shares why he believes selling carbon credits isn’t the answer.

This week we bring you our evoke^AG. 2024 series with Nina Schick and Phil Morle joining our contributor Jayne Cuddihy in conversation to explore how artificial intelligence is changing humanity.

Are the robots coming for us? Or is artificial intelligence a new ally on the path to a sustainable food future? Here, global expert in responsible generative AI, Nina Schick, demystifies artificial intelligence – and explains why food producers should embrace this kind of scary, but really cool technology to unlock the food system transformation we need to see.

Australia's economic landscape has long been characterised by two formidable pillars: mining and agriculture. These industries, while distinct in operation and sometimes at odds politically, share a tapestry of challenges, knowledge, and opportunities. Could the surprising interconnectedness of mining and agriculture pave the way for collaborative solutions to shared challenges? As Australia embarks on a journey towards sustainable economic development, harnessing the collective wisdom of these industries will be instrumental in realising our shared bounty.
Rebecca Tomkinson, CEO, Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia explores five key factors of this symbiotic relationship.

What do you get when you have leading international agrifood tech venture capitalists (VCs) and top tier private equity investors on a panel? A lot of predictions about the future, of course. But this year a panel at evoke^AG. 2024 also spoke openly about their reflections and the stark reality - a downturn in investment, coupled with geopolitical relations and inflation brings further financial headwinds. However, it’s certainly not all bad news. While entrepreneurs don’t have as much money to access from VCs, the overall agrifood tech ecosystem is maturing, with a broader awareness of the sector. 

With the World Economic Forum predicting an estimated $10 trillion business opportunity for nature investments by 2030, investors are becoming increasingly interested in natural capital. But, while natural capital is the latest phrase on everyone’s lips, taking it from a concept to achieving real-world, valuable outcomes is challenging.

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.