Elders’ focus on collaboration is essential for exponential growth in agtech adoption curve

Elders has joined AgriFutures Australia’s international agrifood tech event, evoke^AG. 2020, as the Platinum Partner for the second consecutive year. evoke^AG. is key in bringing together all players of the agrifood tech ecosystem, and a great alignment for the Elders brand.

Elders Managing Director and CEO, Mark Allison, said the partnership is an ideal fit with the iconic agribusiness, insisting the bottleneck in agrifood tech adoption is happening because the industry is working in silos.

“Our clients expect that we take a front seat in driving technological advancement and ensuring they have access to the latest tools to support productivity – and we are committed to taking the lead in the digital landscape,” said Mr Allison.

Pitched at entrepreneurs, farmers, investors, producers, startups, and those working in agribusiness, finance, and IT, the two-day event will explore the challenges ahead for the industry, generate conversations around technology commercialisation and the enormous transformation that the food and agricultural sector is undergoing.

Following the recent launch of Elders’ new specialist agricultural consulting business, Thomas Elders Consulting, and a leading R&D division, Thomas Elder Institute, as well as the Elders Smart Farmer App, the partnership is an ideal fit.

AgriFutures Australia Managing Director, John Harvey praised the willingness of Elders to partner with the organisation and continue to support the event.

“evoke^AG. is a rare opportunity for the agrifood tech sector to have the conversations required to mature the innovation ecosystem and take the industry to new heights. We need to consider what it is we can do in Australia that makes us unique, how we can grow to sector and expedite technology outcomes.

“The implementation of digital agriculture alone could lift the gross value of the Australian agricultural industry by $20.3 billion. We need to ensure primary producers have access to technologies to help them maintain their social licence to farm, remain competitive in the global marketplace, and thrive in a world of rapidly changing consumer preferences. This event will bring all players together to ensure this will happen,” said Mr Harvey.

Mr Allison said evoke^AG. will ensure agtech startups and farmers begin their conversations earlier.

“Farmers’ practical input is a critical step in the process. This does not always happen and we risk having technology not compatible with the producer. We want to continue to play a vital role in providing a link between these start-ups and Australia’s farmers – evoke^AG. gives us the platform to do so,” said Mr Allison.

evoke^AG. 2020 will take place in Melbourne at the Royal Exhibition Building on 18-19 February 2020. Save your seat at the Asia Pacific’s largest agrifood tech event. Tickets are available online, with Student and Primary Producer discounted tickets also available.

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