Australian Federal Government Budget papers, released on Tuesday evening, revealed a spend of $225million for better GPS technology that will enable farmers to access precision agricultural technologies that allow them to conduct day to day tasks more effectively, including sowing seeds in between rows of harvested crops and managing the distribution of water, fertiliser and herbicides.
A $64million investment will go towards improving GPS to an accuracy as precise as three centimetres in areas of Australia with access to mobile coverage.
“This is a practical investment to improve the lives of Australians and make businesses more productive," Minister for Resources and Northern Australia, Senator Matt Canavan. "This technology provides instant, reliable and accurate positioning information, anytime and anywhere around Australia. Our investment in this world-standard technology will have direct benefits including virtual fencing for farms.”
The Bureau of Meteorology’s technology platform will be upgraded to help ensure farmers continue to receive the essential weather information.
The Budget also includes $6.3million is set to give farmers access to a broader range of agricultural chemicals, to ensure continued collaboration between growers, chemical manufacturers and rural research and development corporations. A further $4.7million will improve labour force data to better understand the gaps that farm businesses face.
More than $51.3million will go towards growing agricultural exports, including funding an extra six Agricultural Counsellors in key markets in Asia, Europe and Latin America, and to support successful market access.
“This will ensure we capture the gains from new export agreements like the TPP-11, the Pacific Alliance Free Trade Agreement and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership," Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources David Littleproud said. “The agricultural counsellor network helps farmers build strong relationships with key trading partners. It also provides vital market intelligence and works through trade barriers."
The Government will also provide a $102million boost to the biosecurity system, to protect the "clean, green status", helping authorities to detect, identify and respond to exotic pests and diseases earlier. A further $6.6 million for research and development and key infrastructure will help combat pest animals and weeds, with $20 million to help manage the fruit fly outbreak in northern Tasmania.
For more information, and full budget papers visit: www.budget.gov.au