This is the focus of two new AgriFutures Australia-funded reports: Emerging technologies in agriculture: Consumer perceptions around emerging agtech undertaken by GHD and AgThentic and Emerging technologies in agriculture: Regulatory and other challenges by ACIL Allen Consulting.
The reports deliver critical insights for government, industry and Rural Research and Development Corporations in the areas of regulation and community perceptions. They consider changes needed to safeguard industry use of new technologies and point out the opportunity cost of getting it wrong.
Robotics, for example, can reduce producer operating costs. For a farm investing $100,000 per annum on insecticides, herbicides, and fertilisers, it is claimed that robots could reduce these costs by up to 40 per cent due to the bots’ ability to spread chemicals in precise locations and in optimum volumes.
The value-add is clear, however ACIL Allen’s research reveals farmers need guidance to help demystify common concerns accompanying the use of robotics, such as insurance, ethics, standards and data ownership and protection.
Meanwhile, research conducted by GHD and AgThentic revealed there is confusion and scepticism around blockchain amongst primary producers, as it is often associated with cryptocurrencies. These perceptions can lead to barriers to adoption which in turn effect consumers.
Understanding and, where possible, proactively identifying and mitigating perception issues is critical to ensure farmers continue to adopt beneficial technologies, while consumers have confidence and trust in the way their food and fibre goods are produced.
AgriFutures Australia Managing Director, John Harvey, insists Australian agriculture needs to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to understanding the potential regulatory impact of technologies, and possible negative perceptions that might prevent technology use.
