Helping the food industry go digital

54 participants from the food, technology and research sectors, along with governments and service providers are cooperating to launch an industry-led Collaborative Research Centre (CRC) — the Food Agility CRC.

The CRC will help Australia’s farmers, food producers and food industry businesses embrace digital technologies to improve their productivity, strengthen their branding and create new jobs and export opportunities.

The CRC’s research program aims to develop digital technologies like information systems, software platforms and sensing technologies for use across the food value chain, from paddock or pond to plate.

Initial projects include working with wheat farmers in Western Australia, oyster farmers in NSW and viticulturalists in Australia’s wine regions.

Announced in March 2017 as part of the 18th round of CRC funding, the Food Agility CRC will receive $50 million in Australian Government funding from 2017–2027, and will leverage an additional $149 million in cash and in-kind contributions from participants.

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