Minister welcomes next step to future proof farming

Farmers will soon have the best scientific information on their farm’s performance at their fingertips.

 

The new Rural Intelligence Platform will bring together information from organisations such as the CSIRO and Bureau of Meteorology while tracking changes on the land in farming regions.

 

Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud welcomed today’s announcement by the Minister Andrews, CSIRO and Digital Agriculture Services as an exciting step forward for farming.

 

“This gives farmers access to cutting edge technology and the latest data so they can be more sustainable and productive,” Minister Littleproud said.

 

“Satellites will keep an eye on changes to the land and analyse that alongside productivity, water access, drought and soil mapping data.

 

“This will let farmers better understand the risks they are facing such as drought, frost and livestock vulnerability.

 

“One example is satellites that analyse the colour spectrum of pastures and turn that into data about how many animals can graze that land.

 

“This will give farmers a better picture of what is happening on their farm to help prepare for challenges like drought and to boost productivity.

 

“Investors will also get a more accurate information about how other farmers are doing so they can compare and make better business decisions.

 

“This information could help achieve the NFF’s bold vision for Australian agriculture to be a $100 billion industry by 2030.

 

“The Coalition Government invests more than $300 million a year in cutting edge technology through our Research and Development Corporations to give farmers the best tools possible. 

 

“Our $5 billion Future Drought Fund will continue to build resilience on farms through new technology and improved natural resources management.”