National Challenges and Opportunities Campaign
About the National Challenges and Opportunities portfolio
AgriFutures Australia’s National Challenges and Opportunities (NCO) portfolio represents a strategic initiative to tackle pivotal issues within the agricultural sector. The NCO campaign is a forward-thinking approach that aims to identify, comprehend, and address the significant challenges and opportunities that affect Australia’s rural industries. With a focus on sustainability, energy, carbon, and waste, these themes are critical in shaping a resilient agricultural future.
These priorities reflect a collective effort to enhance agricultural practices, reduce environmental impact, and foster long-term resilience. Initiatives that align with these themes are essential in ensuring that the agricultural sector can adapt to changing conditions and continue to thrive. It is through such strategic focus that the sector can contribute significantly to the nation’s economic and ecological well-being.
Projects
Environmental Social Lending
Find out moreNational Challenges and Oppurtunites resources
Community Perceptions and Worker Experience Survey Report
This report presents findings from the 2025 Community Perceptions and Worker Experience survey, exploring how Australians view rural industries and what influences attraction to and...
Publication / 27 Pages
Understanding First Nations engagement with Australia’s agricultural workforce Revised Final Report
This report explores how Australia’s agricultural sector can better engage First Nations communities and increase participation in the workforce. Drawing on research, consultations and case...
Publication / 62 Pages
Data Pathways, interoperability and end uses for AusLCI data in the agricultural sector
This document developed by AgriFutures and Lifecycles as part of the LCAgMetrics project, examines the pathways, interoperability and applications of AusLCI data in the agricultural...
Publication / 4 Pages
Community trust in rural industries - Year six national survey 2025
Over six years of dedicated research, this report stands as the latest step in understanding community trust, attitudes and expectations toward Australia’s rural industries. By...
Publication
Community trust in rural industries - Year six infographic
Australia’s farmers, fishers and foresters came together in 2019 to begin an ongoing program of research to develop a deeper understanding of the relationship between...
Publication / 4 Pages
Community trust in rural industries - Year six summary
The Community Trust in Rural Industries (CTRI) program is an annual national program of work that seeks to understand and track what drives trust and...
Publication / 6 Pages
Data Pathways, interoperability and end uses for AusLCI data in the agricultural sector
This document, developed by AgriFutures and Lifecycles as part of the LCAgMetrics project, explores how Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) data, specifically from the AusLCI database,...
Publication / 3 Pages
Webinar: Pre Farm Waste Dashboard Launch
Join AgriFutures Australia and RMCG as they launch the Pre Farm Gate Waste Data Dashboard, an innovative tool designed to help industry, government and researchers understand and manage agricultural waste across Australia. Learn about the dashboard’s functionality, data insights and its role in supporting circular economy initiatives. Plus, discover how the National Waste and Resource Recovery Roadmap was developed through industry collaboration to drive sustainable change.
Webinar / 48
Fact sheet: Pre-Farm Gate Waste Data Dashboard
The Pre-Farm Gate Waste Data Dashboard is an interactive platform offering sector-wide baseline data on waste generation primarily for Australian agriculture, with limited data for...
Publication / 2 Pages
Honey Bee Genetic Improvement Program (Plan Bee)
The Plan Bee project has made significant progress towards the development of a national honey bee genetic improvement program, with the majority of deliverables successfully...
Publication / 31 Pages
Video: Albany Farms case study
Colin and Beau Ford, owners of Albany Farm Fresh Foods, have leveraged sustainable finance to fund the solar-power system for their free-range chicken sheds. In this video, Colin shares how a chance introduction to a sustainable loan has been one of the easiest business decisions for him.
Video / 9 Min Watch
Video: Old Man Creek case study
Producing beef at Old Man Creek, owner Michael Gooden secured a green loan to fund a soil carbon project to increase soil carbon levels and generate soil carbon credits. In this video, Michael shares a bit about he and his wife’s journey to accessing the loan and how it is being implemented in carbon sequestration.
Video / 9 Min Watch