Small businesses could benefit from agritech too

With the rapid development of AI, machine vision, automation and robotic technologies, New Zealand agritech companies are able to develop solutions not possible even five years ago.

But while leading producers are investing in this opportunity, there are many smaller businesses that could certainly benefit as well, according to MobileTECH Ag conference director Ken Wilson.

The adoption of digital technologies is one of the key challenges facing the primary sector, says Ken. “The theme for MobileTECH Ag 2020 is ‘thriving on smart data’. While data has always been important to farmers and growers, the ability to automatically capture, analyse and act on an endless stream of business data is, potentially, transformative.”

This ninth annual event – attended by agritech leaders, tech developers, large producers and early adopters – is on April 7-8 in Rotorua and will showcase new, innovative and emerging digital technologies relevant to our agricultural, horticultural and forestry industries.

Ken says the agritech community is continuing to grow from strength to strength, with the NZ Government estimating agritech goods exports are worth $1.4 billion annually.

“In just over a year, the sector has seen the launch of a dedicated membership grouping, Agritech NZ and the Government’s cross-agency agritech taskforce.

“Agritech NZ has been critical in giving the agritech sector a strong voice and opening up new international markets for NZ companies.”

Ken says the cross-agency taskforce is developing a plan to transform the agritech sector by creating a coordinated supporting ecosystem, drive innovation and increase technology adoption by the sector. “Both groupings will be presenting at MobileTECH Ag 2020.

“It is exciting to see the agritech sector grow and have an opportunity to promote industry collaboration and technology development.”

For the MobileTECH Ag 2020 programme, see: ​https://mobiletech.events/


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