Millenia of Ag-Innovation Showcase

Millennia of Ag-Innovation showcases the importance of creating opportunities, knowledge sharing and food security in shaping a sustainable future.

The first-ever First Nations-led AgTech event, Millennia of Ag-Innovation, kicked off in Cairns last week on the 10th and 11th of February, bringing together farmers, AgTech innovators, and industry stakeholders for two days of collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Hosted by the Tropical North Queensland Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub (TNQ Drought Hub) in partnership with Local Indigenous Food Enterprise Services (LIFES) and Farmers2Founders, the event highlighted the vital need for industry and first nations businesses to work together and share ideas to help shape a sustainable future of agriculture.

The event provided a platform for First Nations agricultural enterprises and experts, and industry representatives to connect with each other and showcase their innovations.

TNQ Drought Hub Director Professor David Phelps emphasised the importance of blending traditional knowledge with cutting-edge AgTech to create sustainable solutions for the sector. “This is a conversation starter.” David said, “To have an opportunity like Millennia of Ag-Innovation where we can bring people together, where we can have these conversations and link together traditional knowledge and modern AgTech, so we can all have a better understanding of the land, water and animals.”

Networking and Collaboration Take Centre Stage

A key theme of the event was the power of networking and collaboration. On Day 1, attendees engaged in interactive workshops and trade showcases where valuable connections were made between First Nations businesses and established agribusinesses.

LIFES President Marc Harbrow emphasised that Millennia of Ag-Innovation is a major step forward for First Nations agribusinesses. “There are a number of businesses that need help and support to connect with greater opportunities, whether that’s business exports, business contacts, or new ventures,” Marc said. He highlighted the importance of in-person networking, particularly for businesses operating in remote and regional areas, ensuring they can establish direct relationships with industry experts and buyers. That evening, attendees had the opportunity to continue these discussions and taste locally produced traditional food at the cultural dinner, celebrating First Nations culinary traditions.

Food Security and Future Opportunities

Day 2 saw attendees keen to learn more about growing food locally and sustainably. The focus if the Innovation Trail tour was to highlight the growing interest in food security and self-sufficiency. Rodney Ingersoll of Barron River Redclaw explained, “People are interested in food security. It’s a need in the community, and people want to know how to grow their own food in their backyard to feed their families,”.

Rodney took the group on a tour around his aquaculture & aquaponics facility based near Mareeba where the group learnt about the farms sustainability objectives for water, waste, energy, soil, biodiversity & land management. Rodney shared with the group how he rebuilt his business from a Barramundi farm that was destroyed by the 2023 Cyclone Jasper into producing Redclaw and providing education on aquaponics.

The group travelled to Dimbulah and visited Salvetti Farming Co. a sugar cane, seed, grain and legume farm to learn more about the power of automation in advanced irrigation systems on farm. Farm manager Jason Salvetti, spoke about the importance of reducing labour costs and improving efficiency.

He highlighted the use of sensors to monitor soil moisture and automated shut-off features based on water flow sensors and predictive water use models. The farms goal is to have fully autonomous irrigation to reduce labor while ensuring reliable and economical operations.

Back in Cairns, the group went to Rainstick where a group of entrepreneurs and innovators have been working with electricity to mimic the natural effects of lightning to grow crops bigger, faster and more sustainably. Using a Variable Electric Field Treatment seed treatment technology, Rainstick aims to combine ancient wisdom with modern technology increase crop yields and resilience to changes in climate conditions.

The day ended with networking drinks at Launch Y(E)P, which provides assistance and support to startups building in Tropical North Queensland. The group took the time to reflect on the last two days with Marc capturing the passion he saw throughout the event, stating, “The energy of the people here is amazing. It’s the first of its kind in Cairns to promote what people are doing, how they’re doing it, and why they’re doing it, then connect them to others who want to find the answers to those questions.”

Millennia of Ag-Innovation marks an exciting opportunity for future collaborations between First Nations businesses, AgTech innovators, and industry leaders to continue working together to build a more resilient and sustainable agricultural future.

The event, supported by AgriFutures Australia and the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, was also part of a pre-tour for evokeAG, the Asia-Pacific’s premier agricultural and food technology event in Brisbane in February 2025.

For further information, contact emily.harrington@jcu.edu.au

Images: (above) Azrina Iqbal (Farmers2founders), David Phelps (TNQ Drought Hub), Tony Matchett (TNQ Drought Hub) & Destiny Dewis (First Nations Foundation). (below) Attending delegates.