A major enabler of the transition towards a more financially prosperous, resilient and sustainable agricultural sector is the increase in the value of natural capital.

Natural capital in agriculture refers to the natural resources that producers manage for the benefit of their business, their families, communities and future generations. It includes remnant native vegetation, productive pasturelands and croplands, riparian areas, agroforestry, environmental plantings and animals.

Farming for the Future aims to create the national-scale evidence that connects natural capital to farm profitability, and other on-farm benefits.

Agriculture has an integral role in Australia’s ongoing prosperity and decarbonisation. However, producers need a clear view of the costs and benefits of investing in their natural capital to support their farm management decisions.

Farming for the Future’s purpose is to provide the evidence and practical support and tools that producers need to incorporate natural capital as part of the foundation of their farming businesses, and to activate the supply chain to encourage and reward that shift.

Farming for the Future is a flagship program of the Macdoch Foundation, developed and delivered in partnership with philanthropy, industry and government.

farmingforthefuture.org.au

Australian farm businesses are facing growing challenges from world markets, changing consumer choices, increasing input prices and most of all, an increasingly uncertain climate. My hope is that Farming for the Future will deliver insights to allow all Australian farm businesses to maximise the potential of their natural capital and provide useful information for how these insights could help producers build more profitable, resilient businesses.

Alasdair MacLeod, Chairman, Macdoch Foundation