The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government is offering farmers up to AU$ 35,000 in funding to enhance their ag technology and connectivity, helping them boost productivity and secure a better future for their businesses.
The Farms of the Future programme, backed by the NSW Government with AU$20 million in grants, is being supported by Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW. The initiative is designed to provide funding for technology and connectivity solutions ranging from soil moisture sensors to mobile monitoring dashboards, aimed at boosting the agriculture industry.
The Minister stated that the agriculture sector constantly strives for innovation and the Farms of the Future programme, which provides funding for the latest technology, will enable producers to increase their efficiency and work smarter. This fund will support their efforts to drive productivity in the field.
With grants of up to AU$ 35,000 available, the Farms of the Future programme has the potential to provide hundreds of farm businesses with access to advanced technologies, leading to substantial cost savings and improved productivity.
The Minister for Agriculture stated that embracing on-farm technology will help take agriculture in NSW to the next level. He noted that despite recent difficulties, the primary industries sector in NSW has been breaking records, with a current value of AU$23.1 billion. The NSW Government is optimistic that this can be increased to AU$30 billion by 2030.
The promotion of agricultural technology and digital connectivity among farmers is expected to lead to substantial growth in the future, bringing benefits to both farmers and regional communities. The widespread adoption of these tools will drive positive outcomes now and in the future.
Farmers can utilise their grants to choose from a selection of devices on the Agtech Catalogue website, which is tailored to their farming needs. The Catalogue offers IoT devices, digital monitoring products, and connectivity solutions from 50 suppliers chosen through an Expression of Interest process in 2022.
The Farms of the Future programme was created in collaboration with Tocal Agricultural College, a leading provider of specialised training for the agriculture and rural industries. The purpose of the Farms of the Future programme is to enhance tech-enabled production and monitoring through improved connectivity and sensor equipment. This will lead to increased productivity, competitiveness, job creation, and sustainable resource use in the cotton, livestock (sheep and beef), grains, and horticultural (tree crops and vines) sectors.
The programme is dedicated to supporting regional communities, farmers, and industries by empowering them to become more self-sufficient and better equipped to handle future economic shocks and droughts. This programme is administered by the Department of Primary Industries.
The global smart agriculture market was valued at US$14.44 billion in 2021 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 10.8% from 2022 to 2030. The growing automation of commercial greenhouses and the adoption of controlled environment agriculture (CEA) in greenhouses, to improve yields and maintain optimal growing conditions, are driving market demand. The recognition of the benefits of greenhouse cultivation has led to an increase in commercial greenhouse development.
In order to maintain profitability, farmers are turning to more efficient and intelligent agriculture technologies to meet the demands of the smart agriculture market with high-quality products. Mobile technology provides innovative services and applications that span the entire agricultural value chain.
