An initiative of the Australian National University, Agrifood Innovation Institute (AFII) aims to do agriculture differently by connecting government and industry to research through a single access point to ANU’s world-class expertise and infrastructure.

AFII aims to create a transformed agrifood system that is sustainably thriving in the face of complex challenges.

To achieve this, ANU researchers are investigating ways to improve the profitability, sustainability, and equity of agricultural systems, everything from farming and processing to distribution, consumption, and sustainability.

Through our work, we are aiming to create:

1. Connection: Develop and harness the diverse knowledge, expertise and infrastructure of the University to build communities that transform agrifood systems for a more sustainable future.
2. Collaboration: Build interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary projects that attract external funding to address complex agrifood challenges.
3. Capability: Develop and support the skills and capacity of students, researchers and innovators, to provide a future-ready agrifood workforce.
4. Innovation: Promote cultural change and process innovation at the University to accelerate agrifood research translation and commercialisation.

Read more in our strategic plan 

What we do

Our work encompasses three areas that come together to help drive the future of agrifood.

Research facilitator  
Providing industry and government with a single point of access to the University’s significant research and infrastructure capabilities. This includes expertise in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, as well as world-class research in the social sciences, policy, economics, and law.

We have identified six areas in which we will be focusing efforts over the next five years.

• Future Ready Crops: Improving crop productivity and climate resilience.
• Emissions and Climate Adaptation: Reducing emissions and increasing climate resilience.
• Biosecurity and One Health: Minimising the impact of pests and diseases.
• Bioeconomy: Capitalising on changes in consumer demands for sustainable food production.
• Trade and Supply Chains: Developing transparent, equitable and efficient food supply chains.
• Agrifood Energy Transitions: Boosting profitability/sustainability through renewable energy technologies.

Entrepreneurial enabler

Operating a vibrant Agrifood Hub, which is home to a community of innovative and award-winning businesses with global reach. The Hub provides a critical connection point between academic research and the commercialisation of ideas. It also creates career paths for students from ANU into agriculture start ups.

Learn more about The Agrifood Hub and our current businesses.

Future workforce capability  
To grow and thrive into the future, the agriculture sector will need to draw on an increasingly diverse range of skills and ways of thinking. We are nurturing the next generation of agrifood leaders through training, work experience, mentoring, and education, and by showcasing agriculture as an alternative career path, connecting students and businesses, and delivering.

Learn more about our training and work experience opportunities.