#Technology

The price of fresh food and how the profits are shared along the supply chain from producer to check-out is under scrutiny, in both parliamentary and ACCC inquiries, in the media, and around the dinner table.
But how can fresh food producers pivot business models to get better outcomes? And what role does technology play in unlocking opportunities throughout the supply chain?

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.

A joint effort by the red meat sector and government has delivered sought-after shelf-life extensions for vacuum-packed chilled sheepmeat and beef exports to key markets in the Middle East. However, innovative packaging and freight solutions are still required to extend shelf life of fresh sheepmeat carcase exports – which accounts for the bulk trade to the Middle East – to capture similar value and recover from the COVID-19 induced airfreight capacity crunch.

It was billed as the ‘had to have’ ticket for investment-ready startups at evoke^AG. 2020, and now interest in the evoke^AG. 2022 Investor Dinner has stepped up a notch, with investors equally excited to secure their own seat at the table.

This week, we speak to Emma Weston, CEO and Co-Founder of AgriDigital about blockchain technology, how it’s evolved and used across agricultural industries today, specifically grains, and how it’s empowering farmers to access value beyond the farm gate.

Oli Madgett wears many hats – grape grower, tech founder, advisor, mentor, and father. His adaptable nature and in-depth understanding of the agrifood industry has made him a go-to figure in Australian agritech.

Two years ago, Batlow, NSW was devastated by one of Australia’s worst bushfire seasons on record. Our evoke^AG. host and fellow farmer, Stephen Honner caught up with Ian Cathels, Manager of Ardrossan Orchards, at their Woodburn orchard, in the middle of their fruit picking season – to see firsthand their progress and how new technology is driving on-farm efficiencies.

As the Managing Partner of Omnivore – the largest and oldest player in the Indian agritech venture scene – Mark Kahn understands what it takes to really ‘make it’ after building a venture capital firm from the ground up that’s pioneered agritech investing in India.

SVG Ventures | THRIVE has announced the next iteration of its agrifood-focused technology accelerator and the 12 startups selected to join the THRIVE VII cohort. Again, the THRIVE Australia Challenge has provided a gateway for Australian innovators to participate in the global accelerator with Rubens Technologies, Goanna Ag, and TranspiratiONal making the cut.

It’s hardly apples for apples when it comes to comparing farm sizes and consumer spending between Southeast Asia and Australia – but the opportunities for Aussie startups to explore ASEAN destinations for their agritech are growing.

evoke^AG. 2020 speaker Ayala Domani, AGL’s General Manager, Future Business, insists that it’s not all just hype – technology will lead to bottom-line efficiencies, growth and new opportunities. She explains the approach companies should be taking when engaging with start-ups, innovation and technology.