CSIRO report sows seeds for Australia’s farming future

CSIRO report sows seeds for Australia's farming future  CSIRO

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Apr 16, 2024 - 14:30
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CSIRO report sows seeds for Australia’s farming future

CSIRO report sows seeds for Australia’s farming future

Australia must act now to accelerate agricultural innovation to achieve productive, resilient and sustainable farming systems by 2050

16 April 2024
News Release

Introduction

A new report released by Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, emphasizes the urgent need for Australia to accelerate agricultural innovation in order to achieve productive, resilient, and sustainable farming systems by 2050. The report highlights the challenges currently faced by the farming sector and presents four future pathways for the sector.

Challenges Facing Australian Farming Systems

  • Climate change
  • Emissions reduction needs
  • Supply chain disruptions
  • Workforce access
  • Changing consumer preferences
  • Maintaining market access
  • Long innovation timelines

The Ag2050 Scenarios Report

In response to these challenges, CSIRO has released the Ag2050 Scenarios Report, which was developed through consultation and co-design with over 100 industry stakeholders. The report explores significant trends, risks, opportunities, and actions needed to support Australian farming systems into the future. It presents four future scenarios for the sector:

  1. Regional Ag capitals – a consolidated and technologically advanced sector, prioritizing food and fibre security.
  2. Landscape stewardship – a forward-thinking sector embracing new opportunities and novel technologies, allowing the environment to flourish.
  3. Climate survival – a sector focused on climate adaptation and incremental changes allowing it to survive.
  4. System decline – a sector failing to address growing challenges and at a tipping point.

The report aims to prompt collaborative conversations among industry, researchers, and other stakeholders to envision, deliberate, and plan strategic actions for the future of farming in Australia.

CSIRO’s Ag2050 Program

CSIRO’s Ag2050 program is actively collaborating with industry and stakeholders to tailor the scenarios to local and regional contexts. The program aims to identify interventions, innovations, and support necessary for a productive, resilient, and sustainable future for Australian agriculture.

Download the Ag2050 Scenarios Report.

The Ag2050 Scenarios Report was led by CSIRO with financial and in-kind support from the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDGs Addressed in the Article:

  • SDG 2: Zero Hunger
  • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
  • SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
  • SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
  • SDG 13: Climate Action
  • SDG 15: Life on Land

2. Specific Targets Identified:

  • Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists, and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources, and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets, and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment.
  • Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading, and innovation, including through a focus on high-value-added and labor-intensive sectors.
  • Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, in particular developing countries, including, by 2030, encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers per 1 million people and public and private research and development spending.
  • Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
  • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
  • Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied:

  • Indicator 2.3.1: Volume of production per labor unit by classes of farming/pastoral/forestry enterprise size.
  • Indicator 8.2.1: Annual growth rate of real GDP per employed person.
  • Indicator 9.5.1: Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP.
  • Indicator 12.2.1: Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP.
  • Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.
  • Indicator 15.1.1: Forest area as a proportion of total land area.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs Targets Indicators
SDG 2: Zero Hunger Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists, and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources, and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets, and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment. Indicator 2.3.1: Volume of production per labor unit by classes of farming/pastoral/forestry enterprise size.
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading, and innovation, including through a focus on high-value-added and labor-intensive sectors. Indicator 8.2.1: Annual growth rate of real GDP per employed person.
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, in particular developing countries, including, by 2030, encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers per 1 million people and public and private research and development spending. Indicator 9.5.1: Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP.
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources. Indicator 12.2.1: Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP.
SDG 13: Climate Action Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.
SDG 15: Life on Land Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements. Indicator 15.1.1: Forest area as a proportion of total land area.

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: csiro.au

 

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