IN the coming decade, Australia’s rural industries will be shaped by significant forces that have the potential to disrupt how we produce, market and consume agricultural goods.
Ten key forces
- The rise of artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence is poised to trigger major, unpredictable changes in the way that rural sectors operate — from customer integration to risk mitigation. - Mandatory climate disclosures
Climate and nature-related disclosures are no longer a ‘nice to have’ as bodies – from trade regulators to financial institutions – consider them when determining factors like market access, interest rates, insurance premium costs and mortgage eligibility. - Radically accessible remote production data
Accessible remote information, such as satellite imagery, combined with the ease of information sharing creates opportunities for rural industries to better share their story. - Geoengineering advances
Tools to alter regional temperature, precipitation and other environmental factors will impact rural industries, however the ethics, impact and economics of this are still to be determined. - From incremental to systemic changes in production systems
While the current RD&E system is excellent at supporting incremental changes, in the future there will be pressures that fundamentally challenge traditional production systems. - Global conflict and deglobalisation shift trade trends
While there remains considerable demand for both raw commodities and finished goods, conditions have become more precarious in recent years, making demand from key partners less predictable and at risk of severe price fluctuations and market access concerns. - Growing risks from climate, human and animal interactions
Humans, agriculture and wildlife will interact more, potentially leading to a greater incidence of disease outbreak and other pressures where improved detection and prevention is crucial. - Escalation of cybersecurity threat
Rural industries, and their supply, are creating more data than ever, with more information being stored virtually creating an increased vulnerability to cyber threats. - Rare earth mineral demand growth
As rural sectors become technologically advanced, they could be especially vulnerable to an abrupt change in access to, or the price of, rare earth-containing products. - Climate refugees emerge
As severe weather trends escalate, the potential for climate refugees increases, with the Global South particularly vulnerable. This situation will impact rural industries, creating challenges related to policies, commodity demand and labour.
“So, while useful for producers and the wider supply chain, this report is aimed at stakeholders in the Australian agricultural research, development and extension community, plus policymakers. It aims to inform and guide the strategic decisions that will shape the future of rural industries in Australia.”
“By considering not only existing challenges and opportunities, and their current trajectories, but also emerging and future trends and how they are likely to collide, Navigating a Future of Cross-Sectoral Forces offers a clearer perspective on possible issues, helping to facilitate proactive engagement at a regional, national and global level.”
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