Historically, technology has provided ways for farmers to become more productive and efficient. Sensors, drones, robots, imaging, planting, harvesting, fertilising, weighing, weather systems and farm management systems offer farmers the tools to be even more productive. So technology offers farmers opportunities. This raises new challenges for farmers in understanding how technology can help.

Blockchain can be used to record where food originated, was packed, inspected, transported and exported to allow quality validation, as well as management of disease and pest control.

The digitisation of the supply chain through the Internet of Things offers real time information and transparency, to improve procurement, transport, food manufacturing and quality control.

A major threat to farmers is the “control of destiny” – re data, not just on individual farms but locally and across regions and states. Farmers have to own and manage data (intellectual property) generated on their farms in their own best interests, for today and tomorrow.

This means farmers and farming associations have to collaborate within a region to ensure the insights generated from shared data are leveraged sustainably and in farmers’ best interests.

 Connectivity also raises new challenges in Cybersecurity and management of more complex ICT systems. And connectivity in regional Australia remains a barrier in some regions.

COVID 19

The main coronavirus challenge to agriculture is the reduction of the “picking” workforce, due to travel and social restrictions.

There are impacts to export markets through disruption to supply chain and logistics in overseas markets, which could constrain demand for Australian products. This may also impact imported goods such as chemicals and agricultural machinery parts and services. It is expected that these impacts will be short term and medium term prospects remain strong.