Budget 2018: $225 million boost for farmers for GPS technology

QUEENSLAND farmers will have access to cutting edge eye-in-the-sky GPS technology to better plan precision agricultural methods in a $225 million boost. It comes as Budget papers reveal rural industry is playing a bigger role in the economy.

Farmers will get access to cutting-edge GPS technology under new Federal Budget funding. Picture: iStock

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QUEENSLAND farmers will have access to cutting edge eye-in-the-sky GPS technology to better plan precision agricultural methods in a $225 million Budget boost.

Federal Budget papers also revealed that a change in Australia’s weather fortunes sparked record production in 2016-17 as rural industry plays an increasingly vital role in the Australian economy.

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The Budget found that favourable trade deals with China, Japan and South Korea helped boost agricultural exports by 27 per cent between 2012-13 and 2016-17.

While exports are expected to fall in the near term by as much as 5 per cent as conditions for the winter crop return to seasonal averages, the upward export trend is expected to continue in 2018-19 and 2019-20.

The Budget allocation for GPS technology will allow farmers to access eyes in the sky to pinpoint exactly where they want seeds sown while also allowing them to micro manage the distribution of irrigation water, fertiliser and herbicides.

The technology, widely employed in European countries including Germany, helps increase productivity and yields while reducing chemical run off and avoiding overworking the soil.

That GPS technology will fit hand-in-glove with planned upgrades to the Bureau of Meteorology’s platform designed to keep farmers better informed on developing conditions.

The Government is also pouring $36.9 million into providing greater access to reliable, standardised satellite data identifying wider physical changes to the landscape.

Originally published as Budget 2018: $225 million boost for farmers for GPS technology