Agribusiness leaders ‘on board for agtech

Demand for agricultural technology will explode in coming years, and start-ups should work more closely with wealthy and intelligent farmers for ideas and funding, agribusiness leaders say.

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development executive director Liam O’Connell told a panel discussion the agtech sector was set for massive growth because it could help farmers solve basic problems around reducing costs, inefficiency, improving profitability and reducing impact on the environment.

WA Farmers chief executive Trevor Whittington said the top end of WA farmers were extremely intelligent with highly valuable businesses, and they were prepared to spend big on adopting agtech to increase productivity.