Minnipa Agriculture Centre already trials varieties, and the SA Government is looking for agtech solutions to showcase at this and other sites. Photo: AIR EP

THE South Australian Government is establishing a new agtech demonstration site at Minnipa on the Eyre Peninsula and is calling for submissions of suitable products to showcase.

Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development David Basham said opening the Minnipa Agricultural Centre as the next agtech demonstration site would help show the value of technology to farmers and producers in the region.

“The Minnipa Research Centre has been one of Australia’s leading dryland research sites for many years and the addition of agtech on-farm will be important as the facility continues to move forward,” Mr Basham said.

“We’re inviting suppliers of innovative agricultural technologies…to tell us about their products, and let us know what difference they can make for South Australian producers.

Mr Basham said the SA Government saw encouraging the uptake of agtech by primary producers as a key to unlocking the potential of South Australia’s agricultural sector, and this was why it had launched the state’s first AgTech Strategic Plan.

“Adoption of the right AgTech on-farm could save our farmers money, increase their profitability, productivity and improve their sustainability.

“However, we know that primary producers need to see and experience the benefits of AgTech for themselves.

“That’s why we’ve established agtech demonstration sites around the state, starting with Struan and Kybybolite, then Loxton, and now Minnipa.”

Mr Basham said agtech products suited to the generally low-rainfall cereal and sheep country and style of production around Minnipa and the Eyre Peninsula were initially being sought.

“If you have a commercially available agtech product that has application for South Australia’s agricultural industries, we want to hear from you.

“It could end up being demonstrated to our primary producers, helping to derisk their investment in relevant technologies by showcasing how it can improve efficiencies and increase their outputs.

Agtech products have already been installed at the Struan-Kybybolite Best Practice Demonstration Farm and the Loxton Research Centre, with more due to come on line at both sites in coming weeks.

“Farmers and growers will be able to attend the AgTech demonstration sites around the state to experience AgTech solutions on a working farm, once it is safe to do so within COVID-19 regulations.”

Expressions of interest are now open for the AgTech demonstration sites at Minnipa, Loxton, and Struan-Kybybolite.

For more details and to apply, visit pir.sa.gov.au/agtech-eoi

Source: South Australian Government