Attending the evoke ag conference was an enlightening experience that invited us into the heart of one of Australia's most crucial industries: agriculture. The conference provided a breakdown of the industry's inner workings from growers to consumers, as well as an opportunity to hear the future-oriented discussions of Australia's leading agronomists. Countless ground-breaking agricultural innovations were also demonstrated over the immersive two-day event.
A major theme of the evoke ag conference, apart from sustainability, workforce and technology, was the issue of how consumer demands can be responded to effectively. Expert panel discussions raised the thought-provoking challenge of navigating the dietary 'fads' and 'forces' of popular culture, in terms of distinguishing significant long-term shifts in consumer demand from short-lived trends. In an intriguing discussion on weight loss drugs, panellists pondered how appetite suppressers may drastically decrease the demand for food, predicting the likelihood that the ripples of this trend reach producers. Another curious topic discussed was 'radical transparency', which explored how growers must accommodate the consumer demand for transparency in the environmental and social footprint of a product. Panellists emphasised the complexity of the supply chain and evaluated the potential for tracking technology in materials. This subject was particularly interesting as it prompted one to consider agriculture as interwoven into every natural material and product they interact with.
Of particular interest was the discussions proposing rural workshops aiming to bridge the gap between farmers and technology. Another key focus was the essentiality of unifying modern and traditional techniques to unlock the full potential of farming. Importantly, the major corporations involved were particularly keen to offer opportunities to the younger generation, seen as an important investment in future workforce security.
By far the most inspiring aspect of the conference was witnessing examples of success in agricultural sustainability first-hand from leading innovators. A notable presentation was delivered by an entrepreneur from New Zealand, discussing his personal success with a totally electric cherry orchard. The financial benefit that accompanied the complete elimination of the farm's carbon footprint reaffirmed the popular message that renewable energy is one of the most economically viable and impactful steps towards improving sustainability.
