Producer Technology Uptake Program
The AgriFutures Australia Producer Technology Uptake Program (PTUP) was designed to support producer groups in increasing the adoption of technology and innovation solutions on-farm.
The program worked with well-connected producer groups who knew and understood their local producers’ needs, including knowledge gaps, skills, and experience that prevented them from implementing agtech innovation. In 2022, the program’s eligibility was expanded to include agricultural high schools with projects focused on building student capacity to learn, understand, and incorporate technology and innovation on-farm.
The national initiative rolled out program activities over a 12-month period to drive peer-to-peer learning and was delivered across three tranches: farm-tech capacity building planning workshops, tech adoption grants, and access to an online Community of Practice (CoP). In the first three rounds of the Program, successful producer groups and agricultural high schools were awarded a grant of up to $20,000 to deliver their technology uptake program. In December 2022, Northern Australian producer groups were able to apply for up to $30,000 through the Northern Western Australia and Northern Territory Drought Hub to deliver a bespoke project.
In January 2023, producer groups that had completed their PTUP projects were able to apply for a progression grant of up to $100,000 to expand or pivot project activities to continue supporting the increased adoption of technology and innovation solutions on-farm. A co-contribution of 20 percent was required from participating producers, producer groups, and supporting suppliers for the progression grants.
Between 2021 and 2024 PTUP engaged 59 producer groups and 11 agricultural high schools. Approximately 400 farmers participated, with a further 3,000 producers indirectly impacted nationally, across many industries and enterprise sizes. The program had a footprint in all states and territories.
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