about the 2026 conference

Theme: Agronomy for a Diverse Future

Diversity is at the heart of agronomy, shaping resilient, productive, and sustainable agricultural systems. The 2026 Conference will explore how embracing diversity-across crops, farming systems, landscapes, knowledge, and technology-can drive innovation and adaptability in modern agriculture.

Crop Diversity

A diverse range of crops strengthens food security and resilience. This subtheme focuses on:

• Species diversity: Expanding beyond a single dominant crop by integrating cereals, legumes, oilseeds, cotton, horticulture, chia, and hemp.
• Varietal diversity: Selecting different cultivars to enhance adaptability and mitigate risks.
• Temporal diversity: Implementing seasonal crop rotations to improve soil health and suppress pests and diseases.

Farming Systems Diversity

Agriculture thrives on integrated approaches, including:

• Mixed farming: Combining cropping and livestock to create more sustainable systems.
• Agroforestry: Incorporating trees and shrubs into agricultural landscapes.
• Intercropping: Cultivating multiple crops in shared spaces for enhanced productivity.
• Conservation agriculture: Emphasizing soil health through reduced tillage, cover cropping, and residue retention.

Landscaping and Regional Diversity

Agronomy must adapt to diverse environments. This subtheme highlights:

• Strategies for different climatic zones, soil types, and landscapes-especially in regions like Northern Australia.
• The role of Indigenous land management and traditional ecological knowledge in shaping modern agronomy.

Knowledge and Expertise Diversity

Agricultural progress relies on collaboration. This subtheme explores:

• The integration of multidisciplinary sciences-plant physiology, soil science, data science, entomology, and beyond.
• Contributions from farmers, researchers, agribusiness, and policymakers to create holistic solutions.
• The importance of diversity in the agronomy workforce, ensuring inclusivity across age, gender, and backgrounds.

Technological and Innovation Diversity

A range of tools and strategies shape the future of agronomy, including:

• Advanced technologies: Digital agriculture, remote sensing, AI, genomics, and mechanization tailored to different scales.
• Varied management approaches: Precision agriculture vs. low-input systems-each serving distinct farming needs.

The 2026 Conference invites researchers, practitioners, and industry leaders to explore these themes and drive agronomy towards a more diverse, innovative, and sustainable future.