CSIRO releases paper outlining decisions for Australian farming to 2050

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and the Australian Farm Institute published a discussion paper, Ag2050 next steps – scenarios to decisions, detailing near‑term choices that will affect the productivity, profitability and sustainability of Australia’s agricultural sector through 2050. The paper builds on four evidence‑based scenarios co‑designed with industry: Regional Ag capitals, Landscape stewardship, Climate survival, and System decline. CSIRO program lead Dr Rose Roche said the scenarios help identify practical actions across sovereign security, resilience, sustainability reporting and agricultural innovation. Dr Katherine Wynn, who led the scenario development and a March roundtable with government, industry, research, regional and Indigenous groups, highlighted areas where uncertainty can delay action. Australian Farm Institute executive director Katie McRobert emphasized that today’s strategic decisions will shape the sector’s future.