Agricultural Innovation

Kim Ritman

Chief Scientist

ABARES

intra-ruminal wireless device for methane detection

Technology is part of innovation

• Innovation is the process that can lead to the adoption of new or existing – information – technology – practices

• Innovation includes factors affecting demand and use

Maintain productivity

growth

Maintain productivity

growth

Sustainable natural

resources

Sustainable natural

resources

Water availability

Water availability Population

change & growth

Population change &

growth

Market forces

Market forces

Climate changeClimate change

Increasing input costs

Increasing input costs

Why innovate?

Crop growth limits?

Crop growth limits?

Finite land

Finite land

Staying profitable

Staying profitable

The innovation pipeline

Technology push Demand pull

Bright idea Better

mousetrap

Idea Research Development Demonstration Adoption

Intellectual property

collaboration

Funding Registration

consultationpartnerships

marketingproduction

GRDC Mission statement

“To invest in innovation for the greatest benefit to its stakeholders.

This will be achieved by being a global leader in linking science, technology and commercialisation with industry and community needs”

(GRDC annual report 2010).

Innovation funnel

Precision Agriculture

GPS

RemoteSensing

GIS

Sensors

Mobile & WirelessCommunications

GuidanceSystems

Variable RateTechnology

Software/HardwareIntegration

Internet

Computers

Automation &Control Systems

Agronomy

Information & Technology

Climate forecasts

Precision Agriculture – case study

1995 2001 2006 2011

Yield monitor technology available

GRDC project

Grower PA assoc. formed

Economic study shows gains

400 members, expos, e-news etc.

“Hard to see returns for money but a keen few but persisted

“Coloured maps showing variation, nothing converting this to profit

“Allocate inputs to areas that need them for optimal yield and not waste them in areas where yield is always limiting

Promotion in other regions to growers

An account from a Nuffield scholar

Workshops, farmer teaching farmer

Where are farmers sourcing information?

What are farmers using?

The most adopted innovations:• soil management • crop management • plant breeding • precision agriculture• integrated pest and weed management• new machinery and automation

Combining technologies into practices

What are farmers considering?

• improvements in livestock and crops

• genetic modification as an important tool

• traits such as – drought tolerance – chemical resistance – integrated pest management

• automation and mechanisation

• soil management and health

What are farmers wanting?

• remote technologies• automation• integration of multiple technologies and data• sustainable management of natural resources• adapt to and mitigate climate change • measurement and economics of soil carbon

“Non-production” innovations wanted

• improved business management

• increasing workforce capacity

• marketing and value-adding to products

• increased investment in R&D

Risk

Soil biologyFarm rationalisationEfficient irrigated agriculture

A

B

DOutput

C

F

Climate risk managementCanopy managementPrecision agriculture

Dual purpose cropsAutomation & robotics

ICT in agriculture

Source: Keating et al. (2010)

GM cropsHarnessing GxExMValue chain dividendsNew commodities

GxExM

Genetics x Environment x Management

Harness genetic variability targeted at specific environments using adaptive management

Dryland innovations to 2030

Innovations and the future

Opportunity to apply innovations to:

• Increase efficiency in resource use• Minimise non-productive losses• Increase control of complex systems• Better balance environmental and economic

sustainability