Industry insights on skills needs
Further to the factors outlined on the Agriculture page, other challenges and opportunities impacting Agribusiness include:
Women in Australian agriculture
Women represent more than one-third of all agriculture employees in Australia and over a quarter (28%) of farmers and farm managers are women, according to the Queensland Farm Businesswomen: The Long Road to Leadership. Further, it is estimated that women contribute about half of the total value of output attributed to farming communities through their paid and unpaid activities, including the majority (84%) of off-farm income, which is vital for the maintenance of the farming enterprise. However, while women hold leadership roles in organisations that have a local focus, they are largely absent as elected board members in agricultural and industry organisations. Many farm businesswomen want to be leaders, but they are constrained by factors such as the lack of recognition of their roles in farm businesses. Women are willing to develop their skills and networks and to encourage and help develop other women, and are positive about future opportunities. However, there is a need to analyse current training and development opportunities and ensure these are accessible to women. See also the ANZ’s Women’s Work: Infocus - October 2020, by the ANZ, and Agribusiness Trend and Salary Report 2019.
Changing consumer demands
Consumers are rapidly embracing non-traditional crops, based on new cultural and wellbeing trends, according to Flanders Investment and Trade in Introduction to Agribusiness and Agtech in Australia. Forecasts for meat demand remain strong, however wealthy countries are taking steps to reduce per capita consumption, which has led to a rise in meat alternatives. This is evident in Australia, which is the third fastest growing vegan market in the work, after the United Arab Emirates and China. As such, the report states that Australia has a competitive advantage as it is a global leader in sustainability, animal welfare and food safety.
Changing supply chains
Digital platforms, such as blockchain, which enables seamless global transacting for food and fibre are changing supply chains, according to Flanders Investment and Trade. As such, blockchain provides real-time supply chain monitoring and validation. This could reshape Australia’s world-class traceability systems for agricultural products, which were designed for biosecurity and food safety. Combined with other innovations, like smart packaging, this will create a seamless digital journey from paddock to plate. Flanders Investment and Trade also identifies Inland Rail and borderless fresh food precinct as other projects, both supported by the National Farmers’ Federation, that would significantly change supply chains.
Analysis of priority skills identified in the Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management IRC’s 2019 Skills Forecast is available on the Agriculture Cluster page.
