Agtech in Western Australia is set for a major boost, with 13 growers groups and agricultural colleges to receive a McGowan Government's Internet of Things (IoT) DecisionAg grant.
A total of $582,833 has been provided to eight grower groups and five secondary education institutions from across the agricultural regions to explore a range of agtech opportunities and challenges.
The grants will assist recipients to trial connectivity solutions and internet-based technology, including IoT apps and devices and systems to collate, store and analyse generated data.
Initiatives include using remote sensors to monitor and collect real time weather and soil moisture conditions, investigating Wi-Fi repeaters and long range low power networks, and establishing Smart Farming demonstration sites.
The outcomes from the IoT program will be shared broadly so other WA agribusinesses and the regional community can benefit from lessons learned.
A full list of the recipients and their projects are available at https://agric.wa.gov.au/n/7308
As stated by Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
"This is an exciting initiative that will help WA agribusinesses remain at the forefront of advancements in digital technology in a rapidly changing market.
"It complements a range of other McGowan Government programs driving new technology innovations in WA, including the Digital Farm Grants program aimed at delivering high-quality, reliable broadband services to agricultural enterprises and regional communities.
"The IoT program will encourage and accelerate new approaches to digital connectivity, agtech apps and devices and data analytics.
"Agtech is an essential component of modern business and the McGowan Government is committed to ensuring our regions are well-equipped with the right infrastructure and support to optimise its potential and give WA agribusinesses a competitive edge."
INTERNET OF THINGS (IoT) DECISIONAG GRANTS
| RECIPIENT | GRANT AMOUNT - MATCHING FUNDS | PROJECT |
| GROWER GROUPS | | |
| South East Premium Wheatgrowers Association (Esperance) | $39,770 | Putting data to use: on-farm sensors |
| Corrigin Farm Improvement Group | $39,900 | Using weather data, frost sensors and NPK Soil Moisture probes for in-season management |
| Lake Grace Development Association | $45,000 | Farm wide Wi-Fi Network: LIFT-ing awareness of IoT technologies |
| Merredin and Districts Farm Improvement Group | $45,000 | Broadband in the paddock: it's possible |
| Merredin and Districts Farm Improvement Group | $45,000 | The Digital Rain Gauge Network project |
| Mingenew Irwin Group | $44,200 | Remote sensing for increased efficiency and productivity |
| Moore Catchment Council | $20,000 | Agricultural sensors on farm practicality |
| Stirlings to Coast Farmers | $45,000 | Smart Farming (Cropping) Demonstration Site |
| Stirlings to Coast Farmers | $45,000 | Smart Farming Demonstration Site Pasture and Cropping Systems |
| Yuna Farm Improvement Group | $39,690 | Measure of soil plant available water for improved tactical cropping decision making to maximise profit |
| SECONDARY EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS | | |
| Esperance Senior High School | $5,461 | Esperance Farm Training Centre: AgTech Infrastructure Solution |
| WA College of Agriculture - Cunderdin | $35,000 | Cunderdin AgConnect |
| WA College of Agriculture - Morawa | $44,650 | Developing on-farm IoT technology at the WA College of Agriculture Morawa |
| Kiara College | $44,512 | Kiara College Pasture Improvement Program |
| Edmund Rice College (Bindoon) | $44,650 | Supporting training and education in on-farm technologies |
