Technology in agriculture is said to become a bigger factor on local farms, with recent budget funding to focus on getting farmers connected. 

In a $30 million federal government commitment, the On Farm Connectivity Program (OFCP) is posed to grow the agriculture sector through extending connectivity to farming machinery and sensor technology, as well as supporting farmers to broaden their local and global market reach. 

With agriculture being the dominant industry in the two-thirds of Australia’s landmass that has little to no mobile coverage, it’s a bold and costly goal which locals have learned never to get too excited about. 

National Farmers Federation President Fiona Simson said there are plenty of ways that farmers can and want to harness technology in agriculture. 

“Sophisticated technology and innovation are transforming the way we manage our crops, livestock and environment, but one of the biggest handbrakes to accessing these opportunities is connectivity,” Ms Simson said. 

Ms Simson said that the OFCP should support farmers to embrace technology in the same way that city-based businesses are able to access technology to take their operations to the next level. 

The funding announcement comes in Regional Connectivity Month, where government celebrated their Regional Tech Hub which they say has helped 100,000 Australians with digital and connection issues, celebrating the feat rather than focus on the sheer number that are struggling to connect in regional areas. 

Alongside the $30 million a further $6 million will be invested to support the Regional Tech Hub, which was established to offer free and independent information and advice on digital technologies, services and installation. 

Despite big talk and big money, there is little detail available to say how the $30 million will be spent, which forms part of a $2.2 billion Better Connectivity for Regional and Rural Australia plan, promising the expansion of regional mobile coverage and more resilient telecommunication infrastructure. 

The larger funding will also see another round of the highly critiqued Mobile Black Spot Program, as well as $4.7 million of funding for NBN to provide free internet for up to $30,000 unconnected families. 

Most of the target locations for the latest round of the Mobile Black Spot Program lie within 100 kilometres of the NSW coastline. 

On the brighter side, Regional Tech Hub Manager Jennifer Medway said that there are solutions to a lot of the issues raised by locals that people aren’t aware of, including unreliable service that is too expensive or doesn’t meet data needs. 

“We know the common pain points and information gaps for people living in rural, regional and remote NSW. Connectivity Month enables the Regional Tech Hub to engage a broader audience and ultimately help more people to find the best solution suited to their needs,” Ms Medway said. 

The Regional Tech Hub can be contacted via www.regionaltechhub.org.au or on 1300 081 029