A New South Wales program has already given agtech help to hundreds of farmers as it moves into its next phase
To say that agriculture is changing rapidly due to the impact of technology would be an enormous understatement.
Some innovations are widespread, such as autonomous operation or remote monitoring of machinery, while others can be more unique solutions tailored to suit individual headaches.
In some cases, the solution may not even be something a farmer would have necessarily known about without expert knowledge and guidance.
It is this desire to bridge the gap between traditional farming practices and digital innovation that inspired the New South Wales government’s Farms of the Future program.
A key part of the program so far has been the distribution of grants to hundreds of farmers across the state, enabling them to invest in an agtech product which will boost the productivity and sustainability of their own farm.
The program has been about so much more though, having progressively evolved into an ongoing education program which aims to bolster the long-term uptake of agtech across the state.
From the beginning
Announced in February 2023, the Farms of the Future program provided a total of $7.5 million in grants to 365 farm businesses in New South Wales last year, supporting vast improvements in productivity and resource management by helping farmers to purchase connectivity and agtech equipment.
Since the grants were closed, the program has evolved to focus on education, demonstration and independent agtech advice, where farmers have the opportunity to complete a training program and develop an agtech plan to ensure their business can leverage new technology that improves farm connectivity and productivity.
Focusing on the grains, livestock, horticultural and cotton sectors, farmers can browse an extensive agtech catalogue on the program’s website, which include everything from water tank level sensors and remote irrigation systems through to animal movement trackers, along with connectivity solutions such as antennas and coverage boosters.
“The Farms of the Future program equips farmers with the technology and connectivity needed to succeed in an evolving agricultural landscape,” NSW agriculture minister Tara Moriarty says.
“By addressing connectivity challenges and introducing advanced agtech, we’re enabling farmers to enhance productivity, improve resource management, and build resilience.
“This program is about ensuring that NSW’s agricultural sector remains competitive and sustainable for generations to come.”
More than money
While the grant proportion of the overall program has closed, demonstration and education sub programs will be ramped up and continued through to June 2028.
At its core now is education, aiming to continue driving the sustained adoption of agtech and connectivity solutions throughout New South Wales farms.
Its ongoing role has been divided into several sections.
The first of these is the education program, with training courses helping to equip farmers with the knowledge and skills to identify, implement and utilise cost effective agtech options, while also analysing their business needs and developing a monitoring plan.
These free online courses are supplemented by the agtech toolbox website, which enables farmers to explore a variety of products and suppliers.
Acting as a hub for the program, it also details education opportunities, case studies and upcoming events.
Agtech demonstration hubs are also situated at the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (NSW DPIRD) research stations and in partnership with universities and various farms.
These serve as real world showcases of agtech, and will host Agtech Open Days to allow farmers to see agtech in action, and how data from devices can benefit decision making.
Another crucial part of the program, and arguably the most public facing, has been through Agtech Alley.
Situated at various field days throughout the past year including Australian National Field Days, Primex and Henty, this is designed as a space for suppliers to exhibit their innovative products while also providing networking opportunities, hubs for knowledge sharing and the opportunity to speak with program representatives such as the agtech specialists.
The program’s ongoing nature means farmers who may not have known about it during the grant phase can still benefit from the knowledge and resources available, while those already involved have access to continued support.
“The Farms of the Future program has been incredibly successful in driving meaningful change for NSW farmers,” Minister Moriarty says.
“The feedback from farmers who completed the training and implemented their Monitoring Agtech Plans shows that these tools are making a real difference, helping them overcome challenges and embrace a more sustainable future.”
Big benefits
In 2018, the NSW government committed $48 million towards the Farms of the Future program.
Reflecting on the program so far, three of the biggest benefits cited by NSW DPIRD have been farmer empowerment, industry collaboration and supplier engagement.
It has enabled farmers to have access to practical and tailored solutions through improved connectivity and cutting-edge agtech, Minister Moriarty says, while monitoring plans have enabled farmers to identify and rectify pain points.
Agtech Alley events have brought farmers, agtech suppliers and industry experts together, providing hands-on demonstrations and fostering partnerships that have directly addressed farmer needs.
Engagement with suppliers has also grown significantly, the department adds, with increased participation in showcasing innovative solutions and helping farmers adopt new technologies.
NSW DPIRD believes the program’s success demonstrates that integrating agtech and connectivity into everyday farming is not only achievable but transformative and delivers long-term benefits for individual farmers and the wider agricultural sector.
Beyond just these outcomes, the program has also created benefits in addition to what NSW DPIRD had expected.
The first of these is around the broader community impact, with farmers reporting that agtech has improved staff safety by automating hazardous tasks and providing real time alerts.
The visibility provided through Agtech Alley events at major field days has also highlighted NSW as a hub for innovation in agriculture, NSW DPIRD adds.
Agtech awareness has also come through interest being sparked in neighbouring farmers who have observed the success of their peers who have been involved, which encourages a ripple effect of technology adoption across rural communities.
This sustained interest is one major reason why NSW DPIRD has put so many resources into ensuring Farms of the Future remains an ongoing program designed to educate farmers and drive long-term agtech adoption across the state.
Further information about how to get involved with Farms of the Future is available at www.agtech.dpi.nsw.gov.au