Queensland AgTech Roadmap 2023–2028 Summary

The Queensland AgTech Roadmap 2023–2028 sets our vision and path to accelerate AgTech innovation and adoption in Queensland. By strengthening collaboration across the AgTech ecosystem and adopting, adapting and advancing technological innovations, Queensland will become a destination for the development and export of world-leading AgTech.

Digital Queensland’s summary of the roadmap is below.

1. Vision:
   • Queensland aims to become a global center for AgTech, fostering sustainable agri-systems.
   • Key objectives:
     • Adopt: Enhance agribusinesses’ capability and adoption of AgTech.
     • Adapt: Develop commercial-ready technology to address agribusiness challenges.
     • Advance: Enable technology transformation for Queensland’s economic, social, and environmental future.
2. Drivers:
   • The CSIRO’s Our Future World report, projecting to 2042, highlights key global forces affecting Australia, emphasizing the need to address climate change, emissions, biodiversity, and technological advancements. AgTech, identified in the 2023 McKinsey Technology Trends Outlook, is crucial in agriculture’s future, addressing challenges through AI, bioengineering, and clean energy. Consumer demands for safe, sustainable products drive AgTech innovation, providing transparency and combating food fraud.
   • The roadmap stresses the importance of AgTech in strengthening global food security by enhancing productivity, accessibility, and safety while addressing climate change and biosecurity threats. Technological solutions throughout the value chain can minimize agriculture’s environmental footprint, fostering sustainability and social responsibility.
   • Queensland’s commitment to decarbonization, renewable energy, and low emissions agriculture aligns with global imperatives. The Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games also prioritize climate positivity, requiring suppliers to demonstrate sustainability. AgTech contributes to environmental sustainability, including soil health and reduced chemical use.
   • AgTech creates job opportunities, attracting diverse skills to the agri-system. It also promotes a healthier workforce through technological advancements in analyzing nutritional content and real-time decision-making, reducing workplace risks. The report underscores the role of AgTech in fostering connectivity in rural communities.
   • Addressing the challenges of cybersecurity, the roadmap emphasizes the need for digital trust and literacy. Data analytics in agriculture can transform supply chain management and enhance traceability, necessitating a trusted data ecosystem for unlocking AgTech’s value.
   • Investments in Queensland’s agri-system and AgTech development attract global interest. The AgFunder AgriFoodTech Investment Report indicates a surge in global venture capital investment in AgTech, reflecting the sector’s maturation in Australia, with significant investments in 2021. The report underscores the responsibility to consider environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors, positioning Queensland for sustainable, inclusive growth.
3. Roadmap Focus Areas:
   • Strengthen the innovation ecosystem.
   • Activate innovation infrastructure.
   • Attract and build local capability.
   • Connect to domestic and global opportunities.
   • Coordinate for action.
4. Outcomes:
   • A connected and collaborative innovation ecosystem that advances AgTech in Queensland
   • Innovation infrastructure that supports the adaptation, adoption and export of AgTech
   • AgTech capability and digital literacy within the Queensland agriculture sector is increased and supported by a talent pipeline
   • Queensland is recognised as a global leader in AgTech, and a partner of choice in sustainable production and processing of food, fibre, foliage and other bioproducts
   • An active Queensland AgTech innovation ecosystem underpinned by a coordinated approach to policy and programs
5. Employment Opportunities:
   • The roadmap leverages the Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022-2032 including the $70 million in new initiatives to alleviate workforce pressure via increased training and skills development.
6. Investment Opportunities:
   • Investments and advancements in Queensland’s agri-system and AgTech are gaining global interest, with the state seeking to attract new investments. The 2022 AgFunder AgriFoodTech Investment Report indicates a significant surge in venture capital investment in the global AgTech sector, reaching $68.9 billion in 2021, an 85% increase from 2020.
   • In Australia, approximately $115 million was invested in AgTech start-ups in 2021, distributed across 14 venture deals. The emergence of new AgTech venture capital funds, private investments, and recent funding from Rural Research and Development Corporations reflects the growing maturity of the Australian AgTech sector.
   • The overall message underscores the crucial role of global capital in ensuring a future of sustainable and inclusive growth in Queensland.
7. Next Steps:
   • Ongoing assessment of progress against objectives and key initiatives.
   • Adaptation to new actions, partnerships, and emerging innovations.
   • Continued government support and collaboration.
   • Keeping people at the center of AgTech development.
8. The roadmap emphasizes collaboration and capability growth, which can lead to job creation in the AgTech sector.

The roadmap provides a strategic framework to accelerate AgTech adoption, with a focus on Queensland’s agri-system growth and innovation. It’s essential to adapt, collaborate, and keep people at the center of this transformative journey. The upcoming Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games offer an opportunity to showcase Queensland’s agricultural produce and leverage global AgTech expertise¹.