NSW Farmers has welcomed the NSW Government’s efforts to improve farm productivity through the use of innovative smart ag technology.
NSW Farmers CEO Pete Arkle attended the Farms of the Future pilot near Blayney today, where Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro unveiled a plan to test new smart technology on three farms.
Mr Arkle said the Farms of the Future pilot acknowledges the connectivity challenges facing regional NSW, which have created an obstacle to digital technologies being implemented on farms.
“The pilot program will test commercially available technologies on properties in Blayney, Narromine and Coonamble to assess their benefit to farmers and the digital connectivity required to sustain them,” Mr Arkle said.
“It’s pleasing to see the NSW Government has identified the significant opportunities smart technology presents for primary producers and regional communities and is investing for these to be realised.
Mr Arkle said smart technologies are an important tool for any business in an increasingly digital world, and agriculture businesses cannot be excluded because of connectivity issues.
“For farm businesses, smart technology creates a time-saving opportunity through effective monitoring of livestock and machinery. It also enables farmers to capture crucial information on water, soil moisture and weather,” Mr Arkle said.
The Farms of the Future pilot program is funded by the $4.2 billion Snowy Hydro Legacy Fund and will inform future scoping studies and program development
