Agtech Decoded: growers critically analysing the role of new technology in on-farm decision making – what are the possibilities?

Project lead: Liebe Group

Project overview

A range of technologies have been developed in the agricultural industry that provide growers with new insights into their farm businesses and have potential to improve efficiencies and productivity.
However, these technologies often have limitations and farmers often lack the time, tools and skills to process data from multiple different sources to effectively utilise them.

This project was designed to assist growers to better understand the opportunities presented by the latest digital technologies and how they can address farming system challenges and improve in-season decision making when faced with a variable climate.

The project monitored fourteen paddocks equipped with soil moisture and weather monitoring technology, and combined the data collected with CSIRO technology and digital farm records. The integration of these technologies enabled real-time decision-making, allowing growers to promptly address agronomic issues and optimise yields in paddocks with limited water-potential.

Impacts and Results

The Agtech Decoded project has enhanced on-farm resilience by implementing digital technologies, improving management practices, and fostering a more interconnected community among farmers, researchers, and industry representatives.

Surveys and workshops conducted as part of the project revealed that farmers are willing adopters of technology, using an average of seven different digital tools.

Weather information and climate forecasts were highly sought after, while challenges included data integration and data interpretation issues, and the lack of technology support. Technologies with a clear use case and value proposition were more valued by growers, particularly for critical management decisions related to crop planting, nutrition, soil management, and pest control.

This project was funded by the Australian Government’s Agricultural Innovation Hubs Program and was initiated through the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub.

Cover photo: AGSOCIAL