Jun 26, 2024Robots to boost Australian veggie growers’ tech
Aussie vegetable growers are set to gain a competitive edge with exclusive trials of cutting-edge global machinery under a groundbreaking new program.
The $4.1 million initiative will boost the adoption of advanced mechanization technology in the Australian vegetable industry, reducing the industry’s high input costs and labor challenges that affect grower profitability.
The program will be delivered by Hort Innovation and the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) in partnership with the Global Organization for Agricultural Robotics (GOFAR) which leads the International Forum of Agricultural Robotics (FIRA).
Hort Innovation chief executive officer Brett Fifield said employing the latest technology was essential in keeping the Australian horticulture sector competitive.
“Hort Innovation plays a role in leading world-class innovation for the horticulture sector, to ensure Australian growers are able to remain globally competitive,” Fifield said in a story published by GOFAR.
“This grower-focused program will bring global innovations directly into the hands of veggie growers, so that they can play an active role in trialing the technology and communicating its potential benefits.”
The program is committed to sharing findings with growers across the country, with a schedule ahead of field days, showcase events, international study tours, webinars and more for growers to engage directly with the latest equipment and manufacturers.
In the story, DAF Director of Vegetables, Systems and Supply Chains Ian Layden said the ultimate goal of the program was to assist growers and the broader industry to adopt field technologies that would make a difference to input costs.
“The grower demonstration sites we establish will provide qualitative and quantitative data to highlight the potential efficiency benefits from mechanized machinery solutions, which we hope will help growers make bolder decisions about the technology they invest in,” he said in the report..
“Support for growers to integrate new machinery into their field operations is critical, therefore growers and technology providers will be assisted by project partner Farm Concepts, who will play an important role in implementation.
GOFAR’s co-director Gwendoline Legrand is convinced that robots are the new era of ag machinery, and that the Australian industry is primed to adopt technology solutions.
“Through our global networks and knowledge of the technology sector in the US and the EU, GOFAR will provide Australia access to a global network of mechanization manufacturers and suppliers and machines for Australian growers to trial and optimize,” Legrand said in the report. “We will connect growers directly to manufacturers, and other commercial growers who are actively adopting new technology.”
Hort Innovation’s levy-funded organization that produces resources for Australian horticulture growers and other industry participants. The organization works to translate the benefits and recommendations of research to industry for adoption and use on-farm.
Read more about the development here.