AUSTRALIA is on the prowl for the best agtech solutions from around the globe to help solve labour challenges.
Startupbootcamp Australia is leading a project searching for and identifying startups from around the world that have developed innovative labour efficiency technology which can be piloted or trialled within the Australian horticulture industry.
Startupbootcamp Australia food innovation partner, Dr Anna Barlow, said tapping into the startup and scaleup space globally will yield great results for growers as the end users of agricultural technology.
"A distinctive aspect of early-stage companies and startups is their customer-centric approach," Dr Barlow said.
"These companies often commence their journey by identifying a specific customer problem such as labour shortages and then building innovative solutions around it.
"This methodology ensures that the products or technologies developed align with and effectively addresses genuine market needs, a contrast to the occasional disconnect between traditional R&D efforts and real-world applications."
Horticulture employs almost twice the number of workers per farm than the next largest on-farm employer (sheep) and in 2021/2022 more than 55 per cent of farms experienced recruiting difficulty.
According to an ABARES Horticulture Survey, for the 2022/23 period, 85pc of farms expected to require the same or more workers than the previous year .
Hort Innovation is backing the project with general manager production and sustainability, Dr Anthony Kachenko, saying labour shortages, rising labour costs and the need for increased efficiency were all front-of-mind challenges for growers.
"Hort Innovation is committed to providing innovative solutions for the sector, and the best way to address this challenge is through the identification and subsequent adoption of new technologies," Dr Kachenko said.
"By leveraging the technologies and innovations found through this project, the Australian horticulture industry will be better equipped to enhance productivity, reduce labour-related challenges, and ensure a more sustainable and competitive future for the sector."
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