Technology will help agriculture grow faster

NZ is growing agritech exports faster than other nations, he says.

And global agritech investment is said to be substantial and growing rapidly: in 2014 venture capital investment in agritech firms was at least $US2.36 billion – more than in financial technology.

“Our strength in agriculture and our growing strength in technology raise an opportunity we should pursue with vigour,” Muller says.

“Tech sector innovations are being adopted in many agricultural areas, for example precision agriculture, and industry-wide information capture and utilisation as in the Dairy Data Network.”

‘Re-igniting’ productivity in the rural sector is critical for farmer profitability and NZ’s global competitiveness.

“Falling farm productivity is typical in most high-income nations except the Netherlands. Despite being one-third the size of the North Island and having 26% of its land below sea level, it is now the second largest exporter of agricultural products in the world, achieved by innovation and value-add.”

NZ should take notice, Muller says. “Digital agriculture – precision farming, big data, sensor technology and drones – raises new potential for productivity gains in rural NZ.”

NZTech is now allied with Precision Agriculture Association NZ.

“We recognise the growing interest among stakeholders -- farmers, high tech firms and the government -- to understand the scope of activities of organisations and individuals using tech to grow the agri sector.”

Precision Agriculture NZ offers a connecting body for land users, researchers, companies, regional councils, primary industry organisations, rural professionals and students.

Precision Agriculture NZ chair Craige Mackenzie, says its purpose is to encourage the uptake of technologies in land-based primary production systems, and promoting and supporting the allocation of more research funding.