National Farmers' Federation CEO Tony Mahar. Canberra will host this year’s NFF conference and AGM on October 25 to 27. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)
Australia’s role in trading relationships and leadership in sustainability and innovation will be the focus of this year’s National Farmers’ Federation conference in Canberra on October 26 and 27.
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NFF chief executive officer Tony Mahar said Australian agriculture was standing at a precipice of emerging opportunities in trade while political influences across the globe were impacting the sector worldwide.
“We’ve just had free trade open up with the UK, tensions with China are thawing, new opportunities are developing with the EU and countries like India, all in the face of a growing global population,” Mr Mahar said.
“But farmers are also facing significant barriers, and this is being felt across the globe with mounting pressures on emissions reduction and changing consumer expectations.”
Mr Mahar said the inclusion of Dutch politician Caroline van der Plas as guest speaker was timely, given the response of farmers in the Netherlands to imposed regulations.
Ms van der Plas founded the Farmer-Citizen Movement in 2019.
Dutch MP Caroline van der Plas will be a guest speaker at the NFF conference. Photo: EPA/JEROEN JUMELET
Other speakers will discuss global trade, policy and opportunities and include grassroots insights from farmers and media personalities.
Technology futurist Dr Jordan Nguyen will outline the impacts of AI, virtual reality, gene editing and robotics on agriculture.
World Vision chief executive officer Tim Costello and Foodbank chief executive officer Brianna Casey will discuss the current global food security crisis.
Other speakers include NZX head of analytics Julia Jones, Rabobank global strategist Michael Every and ABC News Breakfast co-host Lisa Millar.
A range of politicians will also speak at the event, including Federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt and Federal Nationals leader David Littleproud.
Mr Mahar said the program would also include social events and the graduation breakfast for the Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program.
“A highlight will be getting a taste of how Aussie food is served around the world at the Nutrien Global Food Fair — with tasting stations representing our global markets,” he said.
“The conference is an unrivalled national event that brings together farmers and agricultural leaders from all corners and commodities of our industry.”
The election results for new NFF office holders will be announced at the federation’s AGM in Canberra on Wednesday, October 25, the day before the national conference begins.
Current NFF vice-president David Jochinke is one of three nominees for the role of president, and the only Victorian on any of the three ballots.
Mr Jochinke is a third-generation grain and livestock farmer from Murra Warra in north-west Victoria and is a former NFF board member. He was also previously the VFF president.
The other nominees for president are: Georgie Somerset from Durong in Queensland and Tony York from Tammin in Western Australia.
Only one nomination was received for the position of vice-president: John Hassell from East Pingelly in WA.
There were two nominations for the one vacant director position: Matthew Kleyn of Walkamin and Hamish McIntyre of St George, both from Queensland.
