Western Australia rural telecoms fund
Farms and other agricultural businesses in Western Australia can apply for match-funding grants to improve digital technologies helpful to their enterprises.
They can apply for a slice of the A$ 22 million (€ 13.88 million) telecommunications fund, which is part of a wider A$ 75 million (€ 47.33 million) investment pot for agriculture infrastructure across the state, and is funded through Western Australia’s Royalties for Regions initiative.
Terry Redman, regional development minister, said the Telecommunications Fund will invest in projects providing direct long-term benefits and impact on the agricultural industry. These could include:
- improving mobile and internet coverage in innovative ways,
- improvements in knowledge management systems, or
- better utilisation of wireless technologies and computer-aided or controlled devices.
High speed internet access is key for global competitiveness
Government colleague Mark Lewis, the agriculture and food minister, added that being able to access high speed internet is the key to future business improvement and productivity gains as Western Australia seeks to regain its international competitiveness in the farming sector.
“Autonomous vehicles, variable rate technologies, real-time weather applications and remote sensing are just a few of the opportunities which will open up to Western Australia agriculture through blanket digital coverage of farming regions and enhanced download speeds,” he said.
Improved connectivity will support the agriculture industry by enabling farming businesses to access smart science, develop a more agile supply chain through e-commerce, and make use of smart farming apps.
