ico NATIONAL CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Technical report 2: Farmer and rural businesses readiness for change: A survey of views on circular economy activities

A large green cotton harvester in a cotton field at sunset. Text overlay: Technical report 2: Optimising circularity in Australian agriculture—Mapping organic residues availability for circular economy opportunities.

  • 33 pages

  • Published: 26 May 2026

  • Publication Code: 26-050

Share this content
  • twitter
  • facebook
  • email

This report presents insights from a national survey exploring how farmers and rural businesses understand and adopt circular economy practices. It examines current behaviours, motivations and perceived benefits, alongside key barriers such as cost, access to technology and regulatory complexity. The findings highlight a strong willingness to engage with circular practices, but a clear need for targeted support, practical tools and policy settings to drive broader adoption across the agricultural sector.

Related project resources

Project tag icon for Opportunity pathways to address systemic challenges facing Australian agrifood

National Challenges and Opportunities

Opportunity pathways to address systemic challenges facing Australian agrifood

This prioritisation report builds on six opportunity pathways identified through research and stakeholder consultation undertaken in late 2025 and early 2026 as part of the...

Project tag icon for Opportunity card 1: Climate-smart farming

National Challenges and Opportunities

Opportunity card 1: Climate-smart farming

This opportunity card outlines a potential pathway for addressing some of the interconnected challenges facing Australia’s agrifood system through a systems-thinking approach.

Project tag icon for Opportunity card 2: Renewable energy and bioeconomy integration

National Challenges and Opportunities

Opportunity card 2: Renewable energy and bioeconomy integration

This opportunity card outlines a potential pathway for addressing some of the interconnected challenges facing Australia’s agrifood system through a systems-thinking approach. It explores the...

Project tag icon for Opportunity card 3: Circular economy and waste reduction

National Challenges and Opportunities

Opportunity card 3: Circular economy and waste reduction

This opportunity card outlines a potential pathway for addressing some of the interconnected challenges facing Australia’s agrifood system through a systems-thinking approach.

Project tag icon for Opportunity card 4: Food and nutrition for public health

National Challenges and Opportunities

Opportunity card 4: Food and nutrition for public health

This opportunity card outlines a potential pathway for addressing some of the interconnected challenges facing Australia’s agrifood system through a systems-thinking approach.

Project tag icon for Opportunity card 5: Digital transformation and infrastructure

National Challenges and Opportunities

Opportunity card 5: Digital transformation and infrastructure

This opportunity card outlines a potential pathway for addressing some of the interconnected challenges facing Australia’s agrifood system through a systems-thinking approach.

Project tag icon for Opportunity card 6: Agriculture as a partner in regional development

National Challenges and Opportunities

Opportunity card 6: Agriculture as a partner in regional development

This opportunity card outlines a potential pathway for addressing some of the interconnected challenges facing Australia’s agrifood system through a systems-thinking approach.

Project tag icon for Report: A systems thinking approach to Australian agrifood

National Challenges and Opportunities

Report: A systems thinking approach to Australian agrifood

Systems thinking in agrifood helps tackle climate, water, trade and workforce challenges. Explore a 10-step framework, tools and partnerships.

Project tag icon for Report: Plant production agrivoltaics across southern Australia

National Challenges and Opportunities

Report: Plant production agrivoltaics across southern Australia

This report explores agrivoltaics (AV), the integration of solar panels and crop production on the same land. Through vineyard and horticultural demonstration sites across southern...

Project tag icon for Project snapshot: Plant production agrivoltaics across southern Australia

National Challenges and Opportunities

Project snapshot: Plant production agrivoltaics across southern Australia

Explore how agrivoltaics can help Australian vineyards adapt to climate change while generating renewable energy. This report presents findings from vineyard trials across southern Australia,...

See all Publications & Resources