State Member for Northern Victoria Mark Gepp recently announced six businesses in the Goulburn Valley had been successful in applying for grants of up to $30,000 to invest in apps and devices as part of Victoria’s on-farm IoT trial.
Bhatti Fruit Orchards, J. and D. Conti and Plunkett Orchards were among more than 90 farms taking part in the first round of the trial, which is focused on the dairy, horticulture, cropping and sheep industries.
IoT refers to physical devices with sensors to connect to each other and to the internet.
Technology selected by farmers in the Goulburn Valley includes temperature and humidity sensors, irrigation flow meters, weather stations, rain gauges, soil moisture and temperature probes, and security cameras.
To ensure farmers have reliable network coverage to allow them to get the most out of these technologies, the Victorian Government has partnered with NNNCo to deliver a new long-range network in the four trial regions.
Mr Gepp said digital technology had huge potential to make farming more productive and sustainable.
“It’s great to see orchardists in the Goulburn Valley paving the way for others in their industry to learn what technology works and what doesn’t when it’s tested in the practical setting of a farm,” he said.
“Importantly, Victoria’s on-farm IoT trial will provide farmers in this region with examples of the kinds of technology available on the market now and what difference this technology can make to businesses operating in a similar environment to their own.”
For further information about the trial, visit: agriculture.vic.gov.au/digitalag
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