Optimisation of energy use and innovation in supply and demand would help to maximise yield and increase profitability in the agricultural sector.

Further business opportunities along the value chain could be unlocked through a proactive approach to waste management, transport logistics and demand side response.

SECTORS - AGRICULTURE

Doubling agricultural productivity by 2030

We are seeking to lift the overall economic productivity of agriculture and the agricultural value chain through a focus on energy. Our aspiration is to double energy productivity across the Australian economy by 2030, from 2010 levels.

To achieve these goals it is important to understand the farming systems within the industry and to accept that there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ strategy that could be implemented generically across firms and farms.

Collaborating with industry experts, we have developed a roadmap identifying the obstacles and opportunities on the path to doubling the energy productivity of the agricultural sector.

Read the 2xEP Agriculture Roadmap (PDF)

Energy productivity success stories in the agricultural sector

Agriculture Energy Investment Plan (PDF) - Agriculture Victoria
Energy case studies - Queensland Farmers Federation
Energy case studies - AgInnovators
Energy savings at Skinner Partnership dairy, Dubbo, NSW - AgInnovtors
Piggery producing electricity from biogas digester, Kojonup, WA - ABC Rural
Solar powered tomato farm, Port Augusta, SA - Sundrop Farms
Preshafood high pressure processing - CSIRO
Murray Goulburn Cooperative advanced separation technologies - CSIRO
Thomas Foods International heat recovery from refrigeration (PDF) - Australian Meat Processor Corporation

WATCH: Biogas technology in agriculture/food production webinar

For the August meeting of our A2EP Energy Innovation Network, we were joined by a number of industry experts and a very innovative pig farmer to discuss the use of biogas technologies in agriculture and food production to improve energy productivity.

Our speakers included: