AFI Forum

Welcome to the AFI Forum, showcasing what we’re up to now and what we’ve done before.

From the vault:

Published 21 Feb 2022

The environment in which advocacy operates in is anything but stable. Advocacy must progressively adapt to not only remain effective, but thrive in the face of change rather than merely survive. Is Australia’s agricultural advocacy well positioned for the inevitable challenges?

Published 30 Dec 2020

The AFI publishes podcasts on subjects material to the farm policy discussions for Australian agriculture. Series 1 features recordings of the AFI’s Roundtable held in October 2019 discussing how we value agriculture’s natural capital. Series 2 presents discussions on topical policy issues from AFI’s research and publications agenda.

Published 24 Nov 2020

The AFI has been accelerating positive change by leading the farm policy discussion and promoting policy solutions that maximise the economic and social wellbeing of Australian farmers since 2004. As the policy landscape changes – now more than ever – we are making changes to help us ensure a viable…

Published 1 Aug 2018

The divide has long acted not just as a physical barrier between the thin strip of land to the east and the rest of the country, but also in a figurative sense has been a delineator between the city and the bush. Most of Australia’s agriculture occurs west of the…

Featured content:

Published 21 Dec 2022

This year’s John Ralph Essay Competition posed the question: is value-adding a pipe dream for Australian agriculture? The relevance of this question was elevated by the unexpected and unwelcome combination of a global pandemic with geopolitical disruption which focused the attention of policy-makers on supply chain security across the economy, and…

Published 20 Dec 2022

Competition to deliver sustainability outputs in agrifood supply chains is intense. Companies – whether they be retailers, food manufacturers, processors, or traders – are increasingly setting targets to improve sustainability in the supply chains they operate in. Delivering on those targets and reporting on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria…

Published 4 Nov 2022

More than ever, farmers need strong, effective advocates. However, organic growth in the advocacy ecosystem across disparate regions and sectors has led to duplication of structures and replication of intent. Australian agricultural advocacy is riddled with issues – and rich in resources. To adapt effectively, agricultural advocates must take personal…

Published 3 Nov 2022

Collaborating for global agricultural sustainability

The sustainability of food systems around the world is a pressing issue for everyone. A new collaborative initiative aims to use existing evidence & emerging research, informing dialogue that can unlock new thinking to improve global agricultural sustainability. The Global Forum on Farm Policy and Innovation (GFFPI) will leverage think-tank…

Published 19 Oct 2022

“On sustainability, I want to be the Minister that works with industry, workers and rural communities to tackle climate change, to reduce emissions, to build resilience, to adapt practices, to develop new income streams, to ensure Australia’s long-term agricultural productivity and food and fibre security – it’s key to the…

Published 12 Oct 2022

Australia is the driest inhabited continent on Earth and has some of its most highly variable rainfall and runoff. Successfully managing our waters and catchments is critical for human flourishing, agricultural productivity, environmental sustainability, regional development, successful industry, reconciliation with First Peoples and adapting to a changing climate. It is…

Published 6 Oct 2022

The Australian Farm Institute has joined with other leading independent agricultural organisations to form a collaborative initiative known as the Global Forum on Farm Policy and Innovation (GFFPI), to increase the sustainability of agriculture across the world. The purpose of the collaboration is to use existing evidence and emerging research…

Published 25 Aug 2022

In an era of historic low unemployment, labour shortages are endemic across the economy. Agriculture, which has traditionally struggled with attracting its required workforce, has been further impacted by pandemic-enforced restrictions to seasonal and overseas labour. The industry must redouble its efforts to be competitive in an increasingly tight job…

Published 13 Jul 2022

Let’s face it, sometimes policy research and analysis can be a little dull. However, anyone with even a passing interest in agriculture could not describe the Australian agricultural policy environment of the last few years as dull. Initiatives aimed at addressing drought impacts, long-term sustainability, trade and supply chains have…

Published 31 May 2022

This event has concluded: From farm gate to café plate, pressures to report on and deliver against ESG metrics are introducing new requirements throughout agricultural supply chains. ESG reporting measures the environmental, social and governance performance of a business, providing transparency for customers, stakeholders, stockholders and investors. Capability improvements across…

Published 23 Feb 2022

First and foremost, the grains industry must recognise the existential threat posed by climate change to sectoral productivity and profitability as the primary driver for carbon neutrality. Compounding this fundamental threat, a failure to proactively move to net zero targets could see the industry ‘locked out’ of key trading markets…

Published 21 Feb 2022

The environment in which advocacy operates in is anything but stable. Advocacy must progressively adapt to not only remain effective, but thrive in the face of change rather than merely survive. Is Australia’s agricultural advocacy well positioned for the inevitable challenges?

Published 24 Nov 2021

With COP26 in the rear-view mirror and a looming federal election likely to further inflame climate-focused rhetoric, this edition of Farm Institute Insights takes square aim at the political apathy on climate change leadership in Australia. While industry forges ahead with ambitious sector-specific targets, government ennui not only hinders market…

Published 28 Oct 2021

This paper considers how the agriculture sector can leverage stimulatory regional investment to ensure enduring economic stability and social benefits by establishing a virtuous cycle of beneficial impacts. A strong agricultural sector, availability of regional jobs and financial capital, and improved regional liveability are not only linked but interdependent. While…

Published 12 Oct 2021

Is agricultural advocacy fit to manage an increasing array of future challenges? In a landscape where community attitudes influence regulatory change at a faster pace than ever before, and in which disruptive change to business has become the new normal, how well are agricultural advocates positioned to respond and participate?

Published 7 Jun 2021

At the recent Global Food Forum in Sydney, delegates heard agribusiness leaders assert that “sustainability is now mainstream” for the agri-food industry. An increasing number of programs, projects and potential pitfalls are appearing in the ag sector. In this Insights edition, AFI offers a high-level look at some of the…

Published 28 May 2021

Australian agriculture is a sector heavily reliant on trade, with more than 70% of all agricultural production (by value) exported.[1] Due to the very low levels of government assistance received by Australian farmers compared to many global agriculture sectors[2], free trade agreements (FTAs) play a crucial role in navigating export…

Published 10 Mar 2021

While COVID-19 is the most prominent disruptor of trade in recent times, it is far from the only one. Geopolitical tensions, socio-economic changes, infrastructure challenges and biosecurity concerns are not merely theoretical risks but active disruptors to Australia’s export-reliant agriculture sector. What do we need to know to manage these…

Published 24 Feb 2021

Innovation is not a buzzword or a box to check on a business plan; it is a vital component for sustainable economic development. The Australian agriculture sector faces a serious and present threat in climate change, which cannot be addressed by incremental adaptation; innovative responses to this challenge are a…

Published 2 Feb 2021

RESEARCH REPORT: Managing farm-related land use conflict in NSW The Australian Farm Institute estimates $20.3 billion can be added to the gross value of agricultural production through digital technology, while the National Farmers’ Federation has identified it as one of the keys to making agriculture a $100 billion industry by…

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