The speakers expressed the view that agriculture to date has had a relatively low uptake of digital technology compared to other industries. This is something the project is trying to change through the promotion and uptake of ag-tech tools to assist with decision-making and potentially lead to increased profitability and sustainability.
More recently the eConnected Grainbelt Project has changed tack, towards understanding the broader industry challenges and benefits in using and sharing of farm data to assist decision-making.
One of the pertinent points made on the day of the forum was that the ownership of farm data was not the key issue, it was who had control of and access to farm data.
eConnected Grower Groups are encouraged to share the findings of the day and key messages at events and with their growers.
Further, videos of the four key speakers’ presentations may be accessed online via: https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/r4r/econnected-grainbelt. Please feel free to share these presentations.
Also, ideas for next steps that the eConnected Grower Groups came away from the day with included:
- have a presenter to speak on the dangers around data collection at our next event
- look at data assimilation for members
- have a better understanding of the issues with data
- find out more about data cooperatives and ownership/ control laws
- take information and extend to growers and industry professionals to help them understand what is happening in this space
- look at legal documents to see who owns IP/ copy and ensure growers know what they are up against
- begin to speak with farmers about IP
If you have any ideas about any information you would like in this space or would like more information on the forum, please contact your Development Officer or email eConnectedGrainbelt@dpird.wa.gov.au