With farmers caring for over half of Australian land and producing 90% of the food we eat, agriculture underpins food security, sustains rural livelihoods and helps feed a growing world. 

Despite the ongoing work by farmers to innovate their practices to produce high quality food more sustainably, the environmental impacts of agriculture are hard to ignore. Agricultural activities are currently a leading cause of native animal habitat and biodiversity decline, accounting for 17.9% of Australia’s net greenhouse gas emissions per the latest national inventory, and 74% of national water consumption.

Farmers are increasingly shouldering the responsibility of adapting their practices to ensure the resilience of our nation’s agricultural sector for generations to come. However, current incentive structures designed to support this work are too sparse and convoluted to be effective. This paper argues if we’re serious about securing the future of Australian agriculture, we need to do more than applaud farmers for their efforts – we need to back them with systems that drive real change.

This paper proposes a consumer-facing agricultural sustainability star rating system, displayed on product packaging. Designed to be credible, practical and adaptable, the system would reward sustainable farming practices while easing regulatory burdens. Supported by government and informed by standardised data metrics, research investment and knowledge-sharing, the initiative would aim to strengthen sustainability, reduce environmental impacts and empower farmers.