While 2020 has been a tough year for all, it has not stopped the level of innovations coming out of agritech. If anything, COVID-19 has reinforced how connected we are and how important it is for businesses to improve their productivity and ensure our supply chains are stronger than ever.
The key message from the last couple of years has been the need to better understand and utilise operational data to make smarter business decisions. New digital technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, The Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain and robotics, are continuing to drive massive change within New Zealand’s primary production sector. Our industry leaders are working alongside agritech companies to develop the tools necessary to compete in both our local and international markets.
The New Zealand agritech sector, which in 2018 exported $1.4 billion worth of agritech products, is expecting substantial growth, especially as we head out of the COVID-19 pandemic. Key initiatives, through organisations like Agritech NZ and Callaghan Innovation, are building significant Government and international support to further capitalise and develop technologies in this sector. It is an exciting time. It is also an important opportunity to create real solutions and improve productivity within the food and fibre sector.
The New Zealand primary sector is rapidly accumulating data, through the remote sensors in our fields, GPS units tracking our vehicles, UAVs and satellite imagery data and electronic tags attached to animals. Smart companies are using this data to solve real-world issues.
5 key discussions at MobileTECH Ag 2021:
- What are the key digital technology trends and opportunities for the sector?
- How are technologies and innovations being adopted by leading agricultural, horticultural and forestry companies?
- What opportunities come out of the 2020 Agritech Industry Transformation Plan?
- Can agritech play a bigger part in creating a zero-carbon economy?
- Is data ownership, transparency, collection, use and security a major issue moving forward?
If you are interested in being part of MobileTECH Ag 2021 as a speaker, sponsor, exhibitor, helper or attendee, please get in touch with us.