Evoke AG

The Hon. R.B. MARTIN (14:57): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development. Will the minister please update the chamber on Evoke AG 2023?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:58): I thank the honourable member for his question about this exciting program. Evoke AG is the Asia-Pacific's premier agrifood tech event. Adelaide has won host city rights for the first time, with the event to be held on 21 and 22 February 2023 at the Adelaide Convention Centre.

Run by AgriFutures, Evoke AG endeavours to mature the innovation ecosystem for Australia, New Zealand and Asia-Pacific's burgeoning agrifood tech sector. It provides a platform to connect global change makers, thought leaders and start-ups with customers and investors to attract investment into innovation and to connect farmers and the supply chain with technology to help increase productivity and sustainability through face-to-face connections, collaboration, investment and, of course, agri-tech adoption.

Evoke AG considers how global agrifood and innovation and tech intersect to impact our food, farmers and the natural resources which sustain them. AgriFutures has recognised Adelaide as an epicentre of innovation in the agritech ecosystem and 'the logical next step for the Evoke AG journey'.

Approximately 1,500 delegates are expected to attend the event, which is primarily focused on connecting global change makers, thought leaders and startups with customers and investors to attract investment, as I said, into innovation. The program was launched on 27 October and it highlighted more than 100 speakers from eight countries, who will lead conversations as agritech or agtech experts, from entrepreneurs, innovators and investors through to researchers and producers.

The conference theme is Down to Earth. The 'down to' part refers to bringing big ideas to reality and enhancing practical on-farm innovation. The 'earth' part represents farms, soil, water, production and productivity. The conference will provide a unique opportunity to showcase the South Australian agritech development ecosystem to attract developers and investors to established businesses in the state, while profiling the South Australian startup community to national and international investors. Also, it is connecting our primary producers with technology developers to create innovative solutions to production challenges.

The state government, through such agencies as PIRSA; Innovation, Industry and Science; Premier and Cabinet; Trade and Investment; and the offices of the Chief Entrepreneur and Chief Scientist, is supporting this conference and working with key industry stakeholders. In addition to the tech and innovation focus, Evoke AG will include a Festival of Food, including a producers' dinner, demonstrating the premium food and wine for which we, South Australia, have a global reputation.

Evoke AG 2023 provides significant opportunity for South Australia in hosting an anticipated world-class event and also for the opportunity for further investment in the state, increasing international attention to South Australia as a global innovation hub. I look forward to welcoming Evoke AG to South Australia in February next year.