Innovative technology developed in Geelong is designed to make it easier for local producers to get the best from their farms.
Deakin-based startup STRUT have devised a smart system that measures soil moisture, soil temperature, air temperature and humidity.
The project's three-month trial phase, now underway, will provide valuable insights into how STRUT's system can help farmers and producers use data to increase water efficiency and enhance climate resilience.
The smart system uses sensor nodes that plug directly into the ground to collect information about soil and air conditions.
The information is sent to a central database where users can view regular updates on any device connected to the internet.
This gives farmers and producers access to real-time information about their crops, supporting informed decision-making about the best way to manage water use and respond to bad weather and other unfavourable growing conditions.
The project is an innovative response to climate change that has attracted support from local industry and government stakeholders.
STRUT is working with Boundary Bend Olives and Leura Park to field test the smart soil monitoring system.
Field testing is funded by Cleantech Innovations Geelong, a business and industry program funded by the City of Greater Geelong, the Geelong Manufacturing Council and the Victorian Government to develop markets for clean technologies.
Cleantech Innovations Geelong is also providing advice and support to help the STRUT team develop their new soil monitoring system so that it is ready to offer to wider market. Additionally, the system uses the City of Greater Geelong Smart City Office's Long Range Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN) to transfer information.
Councillor Jim Mason - Rural and Coastal portfolio
I'm excited about the possibilities of this 'clever and creative' technology, that arms local farmers and producers with insightful information to improve their crops.I'm looking forward to seeing the results of the field testing and how this clean technology could eventually help a greater number of hard-working rural and peri-urban farmers and producers in the region.