Technology set to redesign the future of food as agriculture moves towards net zero

On the east coast of Tasmania, the frigid waters and green landscape seem a world away from the blistering heat and red dirt of Western Australia's Pilbara. Key points: Australia's farming industry has committed to reaching carbon neutrality by 2050 Australia's farming industry has committed to reaching carbon neutrality by 2050 Agriculture accounts for about 13 per cent of Australia's greenhouse gas emissions Agriculture accounts for about 13 per cent of Australia's greenhouse gas emissions Protein demand is tipped to rise 74 per cent by 2050 as the global population heads towards 10 billion But the two regions, on opposite corners of the Australian continent, are being brought together in surprising ways. "I don't think it's the silver bullet," said Sea Forest CEO Sam Elsom, whose company is trying to commercialise the production of asparagopsis. Sea Forest's Mr Elsom said these emissions made up about three-quarters of agriculture's overall contribution, or 10 per cent of Australia's total emissions profile. Apart from their economy with space, Mr Spencer said vertical farms used about 95 per cent less water than conventional ones, required few if any inputs such as herbicides or fertilisers, and could grow products year-round and according to demand.