A Far North Queensland project has been awarded more than $86,000 to deliver services under the National Landcare Program – Smart Farming Partnerships.
The ‘Smart Drones, Smarter Farming’ project will apply drone technology to precision weed management in Far North Queensland.
Special Envoy for the Great Barrier Reef and Federal Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch said the federal government funding provided to this project would help local farmers adopt best practice natural resource management.
He said this grant is one of the 110 grants awarded across the country to a value of almost $9.25 million.
“Smart Farms, Small Grants are about encouraging Aussie farmers to adopt tools and practices that lead to a more sustainable and profitable agricultural sector,” Mr Entsch said.
“Tapping into local know-how is vital if we are to maximise our national potential and establish an agricultural sector worth $100 billion by 2030.”
Mr Entsch said this project would engage regional farmers in hands-on trials of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.
“Weed-control case studies will be run on three farms in the Tablelands’ agricultural region using precision mapping and precision spray drones,” Mr Entsch said.
“I am very pleased to see problem weeds like Tobacco weed, Fire Weed and Giant Rats’ Tail targeted through this project.
“I am particularly proud that Far North Queensland ingenuity will now have the potential to be applied to helping farmers right across the country.”
Further rounds of Smart Farms Small Grants are expected to roll-out progressively over coming months and years.
