Agriculture Victoria to trial IoT technology on farms

A digital network administered as part of the Andrews Labor government’s Internet of Things (IoT) trial will enable agricultural communities in Victoria to better manage their crops. NNNCo, an Australian IoT network provider, will work with Agriculture Victoria to provide network connectivity to trial sites in the Maffra, Tatura, Serpentine and Birchip regions. The long-range network will allow thousands of sensors to be connected to the internet, providing real-time data for farmers to improve their on-farm productivity, efficiency and sustainability.

“We’re excited to work with NNNCo to roll this exciting technology out to keep our farmers connected and help them work smarter — not harder. Our Internet of Things trial has the potential to revolutionise farm businesses, putting Victorian farmers at the forefront of agricultural innovation,” said Jaclyn Symes, Minister for Agriculture.

Providing network connectivity is an important part of the government’s On-farm IoT trial, as it addresses the barriers farmers face when investing in technology, such as a lack of access to reliable network coverage. The network will also support the wider community, improving connectivity for those in the trial regions.

“NNNCo’s network and data platform rollout is a commitment to every farmer in these regions to provide the coverage they need to better manage and run their operations,” said Rob Zagarella, NNNCo CEO.

The trial is part of the Labor government’s commitment to improving rural and regional mobile coverage, coverage on train lines, mobile blackspots and public Wi-Fi.

“Farmers now have a broad choice of devices and applications from the growing global IoT ecosystem, including irrigation management and control, and real-time monitoring of soil health, rainfall, cattle movement, farm assets, worker safety and water tank levels so that they can proactively respond to the needs of the farm,” Zagarella said.

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