More funding for agritech events in regional Australia

The Albanese Government is supporting Australian innovation by delivering support for Agritech events across the country.

Round 2 of the the AgriFutures Agritech Event Sponsorship Program will fund 22 agricultural innovation and agritech events, aiming to foster commercialisation opportunities, attract investment, and elevate Australian agritech enterprises.

This $1.5 million program is funded through the Albanese Government’s $12.3 million investment in regional trade events.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt, said agritech events showcase Australia’s leadership in innovation, sustainability, and research.

“This program spotlights the cutting-edge innovations of regional Australian communities,” Minister Watt said.

“Agritech events create major opportunities. They bring new products to new markets, elevate value add and sustainability, and foster deeper collaboration between industry players”.

“The events are held on agriculture’s home turf – regional Australia – ensuring the growth they generate develops regional economies.”

The first round of funding saw $275,000 distributed to seven events in regional locations including Gatton, Gippsland, Orange and Tamworth.

The successful recipients under Round 2 will share in $625,000 with events being held between 1 April 2024 and 31 October 2024. The events include: 

• Grower Group Agtech Engagement (Ballandean, Kalbar, Gatton, St George, Kingaroy and Childers – QLD)
• FoodTech Tasmania 2024 (Launceston, Burnie and Longford – Tasmania)
• Precision Ag Expo (McLaren Vale – SA)
• SparkLabs Cultiv8 WeekZero & Regional Showcase (Orange – NSW)
• South West Vic Agri-Tech Innovation Summit 2024 (Warrnambool – VIC) 
• Primex Field Days AgTech Alley (Casino – NSW) 
• The Science & Art of Trading Cattle (Coonamble – NSW)
• From Here On – Innovation Seminar (Hunter Valley Equine Research Centre – NSW)
• Dumbleyung AgTechXPO (Dumbleyung – WA)
• GroWQ Innovation Expo (Longreach – QLD)
• Regional Ag-Tech Innovation and Careers Showcase (Bendigo, Mildura, Shepparton and Wodonga – VIC)
• Agribusiness Today Forum (Orange and Borenore – NSW)
• Automating Australian Agriculture Roadshow (WA, SA, VIC, NSW and QLD)
• Empowering Australian Agriculture: A Roadshow on Technological Resilience, Safety, and Productivity (Wagga Wagga – NSW, Bundaberg – QLD and Mildura – VIC)
• Fruit Growers Victoria Conference 2024 (Shepparton – VIC)
• Henty Machinery Field Days (Henty – NSW) 
• Cyber Security in Agriculture and Agribusiness (Wangaratta – VIC)
• Spring Vine Health Day AgriTech Innovation Demonstration (Murrumbateman – NSW)
• Robotic Weeding Demo Day (Gatton – QLD)
• Agtech Showcase (Bundaberg – QLD)
• Digital Agrifood Summit 2024 (Wagga Wagga – NSW)
• GrownIn NQ 2024 (Bowen – QLD)

Round 3 of the program will offer $600,000 to support events held between 1 November 2024 and 30 June 2025 with applications opening in August 2024.

For more information on the AgriFutures Agritech Event Sponsorship program or the successful events, visit the AgriFutures website.