Typically, Australian farms are seen as relatively traditional workplaces, however new technology is increasingly revolutionising the industry. This is good news for Australian farmers, who have been forced to endure years of devastating drought, bushfires, and floods. And though tech can’t change the weather, it can help farmers better manage its effects.

Indeed, according to Australia’s Chief Scientist, Alan Finkel, innovation in our agriculture sector will be critical for the country’s economy, food security, revolutionising the supply chain and attempts to reduce the impact of global warming. 

“With a supportive policy environment, workforce and investment, we are confident that the future of agriculture in Australia will be one in which data analytics and artificial intelligence are as at-home on the farm as they are in any other high-tech industry,” said Alan Finkel, upon the release of the Future of Agriculture Technologies report late last year. 

This uptake of tech and data within the farming industry is seeing a new kind of workforce becoming increasingly sought-after by agricultural employers. Those with skills ranging from robotics and computer science to coders, machine learning and systems engineers are transitioning to the agriculture industry to help develop innovations that solve agricultural and horticultural challenges. 

Here are just a few of the ways Agtech is changing the face of the industry and creating exciting job opportunities for those with scientific and IT skills and experience. 

Sensors and the Internet of Things 

When it comes to agriculture, there are a seemingly never-ending number of decisions for agricultural employers to make, from when the right time to plant is to deciding on correct hydration levels for their crops. Sensor technology and the IoT are becoming increasingly utilised as integrated decision support tools. 

A sensor is a device that detects events or changes in the surrounding environment that converts this into a mechanical or electronic signal. Think a smartphone app that provides farmers with a visual representation of moisture and nutrient levels, soil health and crop availability. Or an alarm sounding when temperatures are predicted to spike beyond a crop’s limits, so actions can be taken to prevent crop deterioration before it occurs. 

In this way, sensor technologies can contribute to higher productivity, quality and system sustainability across cropping, livestock, horticulture, forestry and aquaculture. 

Personalisation and consumer experience 

More and more consumers want the opportunity to customise or shape the products and services they consume, with the digital era giving them greater access to information about where these products come from and how they’re produced. 

The rise in digital devices has led to growth in online shopping, with online data providing businesses with greater insights into customers’ purchasing patterns, history and interests. 

While the shift from mass distribution to mass personalisation might initially seem impossible for farmers and growers to achieve, personalisation analytics are already being used in the agricultural supply chain. Agricultural retailers are increasingly investing in digital and data capabilities to improve business operations and customer experience. Businesses now have the capability to measure exactly what each customer wants and can adapt their processes and supply chain accordingly. 

Genomic tools and biotechnology 

A tech revolution is occurring within genomic and more affordable DNA sequencing technologies, which will advance genetic modification of crops and animals to increase resilience to climate variability, pests, disease and reduce the use of herbicides and pesticides. 

Genomics is the study of an organism’s genetic information contained in DNA, which makes it possible to rapidly determine the genetic variation between different crop varieties. By applying powerful computing techniques, we are then able to determine which genetic variations are responsible for changes in plant performance, helping to predict desirable crop varieties. 

For example, in South Australia, researchers are already applying genomic breeding practices to wheat, and have identified genes linked to dough quality. This has the potential to give Australia’s wheat farmers a competitive edge by making them more suitable for particular end-products, such as pastry or noodles.  

Food security and biosecurity 

Demand for food is growing, with the population set to reach almost 10 billion by 2050. According to a report by the UN, this would require a corresponding 70 percent increase in calories available for consumption, and this is alongside the degradation of land and increasing environmental pressures of climate change. 

New and emerging technologies, such as surveillance and crop protection strategies, have the potential to manage pests and reduce plant and animal disease through early detection. This, alongside innovations that monitor how environmental fluctuations impact crops, could help to reduce the amount of spoiled produce and barren crops. 

Furthermore, applications employing biotechnology and nanotechnology can be used to monitor the authenticity, quality and safety of food products. This will become increasingly important, given mounting consumer interest in products that are natural, ‘organic certified’ or locally grown. Post-Covid, issues such as improved traceability and real-time detection of microbial or chemical contamination have the potential to define businesses success, and technology can aid in such endeavours.   

If you’re looking for an exciting job within the agriculture and horticulture industry, contact Acclaimed Workforce today or search our jobs now.