Which is the Smartest Australian State for Agriculture?

Article by: Hari Yellina (Orchard Tech)

It was in the ’80s that Queensland was declared a ‘Smart State’ instead of being noticed for its bright sunshine. This meant that a change was needed where the state needed to emerge as a knowledge-based economy. Moreover, it needed to develop its competitive advantage in regards to ideas and innovation, instead of depending on the Australian wealth or its natural resources. After 20 years, the opportunity again presents itself where Queensland can lead in producing goods. Additionally, it can also be an expert in selling the latest technologies and services.

For these reasons, there is a celebration of the launch of the Gatton Smart Farm initiative. This is a national flagship program that is bringing together our own research and development corporation Hort Innovation, the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, industry and commercial partners. Complementing the launch of the Gatton Smart Farm as a physical space for collaboration is our current development of Future Fields, a new strategic plan for the Queensland fresh produce supply chain.

Future Fields is also creating a space for the collaboration required to fix some of our most challenging and complex problems. Like the Smart Farm, a key objective for Future Fields is to ensure Queensland has all the right conditions, resources, skills and attitudes required to make us the preferred place to grow a horticultural business. So far in the Future Fields engagement, they have heard from supply chain stakeholders at a summit in Brisbane, and through a recent series of regional workshops during November in Bundaberg, Mundubbera, Bowen, South Johnstone and Mareeba.