Nitrogen is one of the most essential elements in food production, playing a fundamental role in feeding a hungry world. It is essential for human survival as a building block of amino acids and proteins and critical to photosynthesis in plants. Its use in agriculture is both necessary and challenging, as synthetic fertiliser must be imported and applied annually to sustain crop yields and grain protein, complementing that which is available in the soil. Australia is recognised for its responsible and targeted application of fertilisers, resulting in grain production with some of the lowest emissions intensity levels worldwide. However, nitrogen fertilisers represent the highest variable cost for Australian grain growers, squeezing already tight profit margins. With most of Australia’s nitrogen fertiliser imported, Australian growers are exposed to supply chain vulnerabilities, pricing fluctuations, and long-term price increases as the cost of fossil-fuels used to make nitrogen fertilisers continues to rise, making this an ever-increasing challenge for Australian grain growers.
This content is created by the open source Your Priorities citizen engagement platform designed by the non profit Citizens Foundation