Grants for high tech grain innovations

GrainInnovate will fund start-up businesses that boost grain industry technology.

NEW IDEAS: GrainInnovate will help growers make the most of their crop. Picture: Nicole McDougall

THE Grain Research and Development Corporation and Artesian Venture Partners have launched a $50million GrainInnovate fund to invest in start-up businesses that boost technology in the grain industry.

The fund will targets improvements and invest in genetics, grain technologies, storage, renewable energy, crop protection technologies and water and nutrient use efficiency.

Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud said the multi-million dollar fund will help turn grain-growing into a high-tech science.

"GrainInnovate will look for start-ups to boost our production of the world's best grains,” Mr Littleproud said.

"Some of this technology will detect changes in growing conditions and give farmers the information needed to keep their grain healthy.

"This fund brings business on board to make the most of R&D. R&D is the key to growing our agriculture industry to $100billion in farm production by 2030.”