OzTech Drones’ Jamin Fleming, MacFarm management’s Scott Gregson-Allcott, Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett and SwarmFarm agronomist Mick Matthews flank Qld Primary Industries Minister Tony Perrett as he announces the Sowing the Seeds of Farming Innovation Fund today at MacFarm Management’s Paradise Project south of Bundaberg. Photo: Tony Perrett MP
THE QUEENSLAND Government has today launched the Sowing the Seeds of Farming Innovation Fund, which makes a total of $30 million available to businesses to supercharge the development of on-farm technology and innovation across Qld’s agriculture industry.
The fund will support commercially viable innovation that improves productivity,
Qld Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett said innovation was critical to the success of Queensland’s primary industries, and as an initiative of the Qld Govt under Premier David Crisafulli, it would help increase the value of the state’s primary production.
“Sowing the Seeds of Farming Innovation Fund is a game-changer for the future of farming because it will deliver the next generation of agtech to boost on-farm productivity and profitability,” Mr Perrett said.
“We’ve heard loud and clear from industry there’s no shortage of innovation in Queensland, but what’s needed is stronger commercialisation
“The Crisafulli Government set an ambitious target to increase the value of primary production to $30 billion by 2030, and this fund will help Queensland producers reach this bold goal by getting game changing technology from concept to on farm application sooner.”
Qld Treasurer David Janetzki said the fund reflected the Crisafulli Government’s commitment to doing business differently and investing in promising commercial opportunities.
“These targeted investments will not only strengthen Queensland’s primary industry value chains but also position our State’s long-term success including global recognition for its practical innovation,” Mr Janetzki said.
Thumbs up from SwarmFarm, NFF, QFF
SwarmFarm, which manufactures robotic units at Wellcamp near Toowoomba, has welcomed the creation of the fund.
“We’ve gone from broadacre farmers near Emerald to building autonomous systems for farmers like us around the world,” SwarmFarm co-founder Jocie Bate said.
“That journey has been about solving real problems on farm.
“A fund dedicated to agricultural innovation helps accelerate that—getting better tools and systems into farmers’ hands faster.
“We started as wheat and chickpea farmers, and today we’re designing and manufacturing robotic platforms that farmers can adopt straight into their operations.
“That shift hasn’t happened by accident—it’s come from backing new ideas and backing the people building them.
“A focused agtech fund creates more opportunities, both for companies like ours and for the next wave of innovation coming through.
“There’s no shortage of good ideas in agriculture.
“The challenge is turning those ideas into something that works at scale, on farm, every day.
“That’s where support like this matters—helping bridge the gap from innovation to real-world adoption, so farmers see the benefit sooner.”
The National Farmers’ Federation and Queensland Farmers’ Federation have also welcomed the creation of the fund.
“Behind every apple we eat, every sandwich we make and every coffee we drink, farmers have embraced technology and research to produce tastier food, better fibre, more efficient practices, safer workplaces, and more sustainable farms,” NFF president Hamish McIntyre said.
“This practical farming focused investment by the Queensland Government will launch Australian agricultural technology to the world and result in home grown fit for purpose tech for Australian farmers.
QFF chief executive officer Jo Sheppard said investing in agtech was essential for keeping Qld’s producers competitive, productive and profitable in a rapidly changing global market.
“It’s critical that we move practical innovations out of the lab and into the paddock, where they can deliver real productivity gains for Queensland producers,” Ms Sheppard said.
“By accelerating on‑farm innovation, we strengthen regional economies, support sustainable growth and secure the future of Queensland’s agricultural industry.”
Source: Queensland Government
HAVE YOUR SAY