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The new Curtin-Murdoc h centre will focus on developing new technologies that will shape the agricultural industry of the future.
According to a recent press release, Western Australia’s new Centre for Digital Agriculture (CDA) will bring together research and industry specialists from Western Australia and beyond to investigate the potential of new digital technologies to advance agriculture in the immediate and long-term.
It is funded by the Western Australian Government’s Royalties for Regions program and officially opened by Agriculture and Food Minister, the Hon Alannah MacTiernan MLC.
Focus of the Centre’s Research
Academics from the universities of Curtin and Murdoch will lead research and related activities.
This will include engagement with regional WA and collaborations with industry, government and other institutions as they pursue technological progress in the agriculture sector.
A collaborative approach will be undertaken when researching the potential impact of digital technology on agriculture in WA.
Researchers at the Centre will harness the latest technological advances for the benefit of the sector.
They will focus particularly on how the digitalisation of agriculture is likely to be different to that in other industries.
They will also look into what can be done to support change and adaptation among the CDA’s industry partners.
The increasing digitalisation of agriculture in WA stands to present a unique set of challenges for farmers and those in the industry.
Who will benefit?
The innovative projects undertaken at the Centre will benefit not just the agricultural industry but regional WA and the State more broadly.
According to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation of Murdoch University, big data and digital technology had the potential to transform the agriculture industry.
These can provide farmers and policy makers with tools and information to help them make informed decisions resulting in sustainability and improved productivity.
The Centre for Digital Agriculture will facilitate this transformation, linking researchers together with industry and farmers in their paddocks to help producers make better decisions and manage risks like climate change, rising energy costs and market volatility.
The University is looking forward to seeing how researchers and partners of the CDA will translate the very cutting edge research in digital agriculture into user friendly solutions for producers across the state.
Who are involved?
The Centre is part of a research agreement between Curtin, Murdoch and the WA Government’s Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation.
It aims to develop the State’s research excellence in agricultural science and building the capability of the agriculture sector in WA.
The CDA is led by Premier’s Fellow in Agriculture and Food, Professor Simon Cook, from Curtin’s School of Molecular and Life Sciences and adjunct Professor at Murdoch University.