The Andrews Labor Government has unveiled plans worth $27 million to encourage more farming businesses to embrace digital technology.
Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford launched the Digital Agriculture Strategy last week in Tatura to ensure Victoria’s $14 billion agriculture sector is best-placed to capitalise on new technologies.
$12 million of the funding which will go towards the On-farm Internet of Things (IoT) trial.
The trial focuses on the major sectors of dairy, broad-acre cropping, sheep and horticulture in the regions surrounding Birchip, Serpentine, Tatura and Maffra.
The trial will enable farmers to see the on-farm benefits of digital technologies specific to their industry and by doing so, promote greater uptake of technology and competition across the sector.
To inform the roll out of the trial, the Labor Government is establishing a Site Reference Group for each of the four trial regions.
Local farmers Bree Whittaker, Maffra, Will Hooke, Serpentine, Linc Lehmann, Birchip, and Mitchell McNab, Tatura, will chair the respective groups, providing an industry voice to ensure that the trial meets the needs of farmers.
Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford said as Australia’s premier agriculture state and the home of innovation, Victoria is well-placed to lead the digital revolution.
“We’re supporting and leading research in agricultural technologies, helping reduce barriers to widespread technology adoption on-farm, and building the digital capability in our sector,” Ms Pulford said.
“Our farmers are world-class, highly skilled and innovative; we look forward to working with you every step of the way to harness the power of digital adoption.”
