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Connectivity is an indispensable driver for the successful integration of digital technologies in agriculture, offering the potential to enhance productivity, efficiency and sustainability for farmers and fishers. However, while rapidly improving, the availability, reliability and affordability of connectivity solutions remain significant hurdles in rural and remote areas, impeding the widespread adoption of digital technologies.

The Connectivity in paddock and on boat – where to from here? project aimed to comprehensively assess the current state of connectivity within Australian agriculture and identify avenues for enhancement and producer support. The project methodology encompassed a multi-faceted approach, including a literature review, stakeholder interviews, process mapping and development of a Technology Radar.

Key findings from the project include that many farmers and fishers remain unaware of the benefits of connectivity and the solutions available to them, and that reliable and cost-effective connectivity options are not uniformly accessible in rural and remote areas. Further, the array of available connectivity solutions presents a challenge, with producers struggling to select the most appropriate solution for their specific needs.

The work also found farmers and fishers frequently lack access to the expertise required for selecting, implementing and troubleshooting connectivity solutions, and that there is a lack of information concerning their precise connectivity needs, hampering the development of targeted solutions.