Producer Technology Uptake Program
AgriFutures Australia works to directly address barriers to growth across our rural industries and help industry and governments respond to opportunities. One program developed to meet the objective of establishing a globally connected, national network of farmers, fishers and foresters to accelerate innovation, practice change and agtech adoption is the Producer Technology Uptake Program.
The Producer Technology Uptake Program (PTUP) was developed to support producers to overcome barriers to technology adoption on-farm or on-boat. The program works with existing producer groups and networks who know and understand their local producers’ needs and who are interested and willing to adopt new technologies but may not know where to start.
The program provides the opportunity for producer groups to design a bespoke project, up to $20,000 value, to overcome their barriers to agtech adoption. Projects focus on delivering activities that are practical and directly related to adoption including capacity building, trialling and demonstrations and peer learning. In addition to project grants, the program offers participating groups a capacity building workshop and access to an online Communities of Practice.
PTUP targets producers that are keen to research and leverage technology but may lack the necessary knowledge, skills, or experience, or haven’t yet adopted technology plans in their business. The national initiative rolls-out program activities over a 12-month period in partnership with successful groups, with the aim of driving peer learning.
AgriFutures Australia Manager, Innovation, Ulicia Raufers said interest in the program was staggering, highlighting the agricultural sector’s enthusiasm to harness the benefits of technology.
“The diversity of applicants exceeded our expectations and we’re thrilled with the response,” said Ms Raufers.
“The program is first and foremost about meeting the needs of local producers,” said Ms Raufers.
“We currently have around 1,300 producers directly participating in the program. We have already seen first-hand the huge leaps they have made in not only adopting technology but also in building capacity and confidence across their region’s producer network to look for new solutions.
“We are really proud to support producers on-the-ground to understand what opportunities exist and to help them overcome common barriers to adoption. Many of the groups have told us that they wouldn’t have taken the leap without the funding support or resources offered through the program.”
