Ruralco Holdings Limited, a renowned Australian agro-based business, has recently forged an alliance with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) in Australia to explore the usage of digital technology such as drones and remote sensing, in Australia’s agriculture sector. Additionally, the ASX-listed agribusiness firm has also partnered with Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) for an initial duration of 12 months with regards to a project that will focus on drone usage mapping and their effective usage for farming practices.

Ruralco’s partnership with CSIRO’s data innovation group, Data61, is touted to be one of the most lucrative collaborations in the regional agricultural drones market. Collectively, both the organizations are expected to develop data-driven technological solutions to bring about the execution of sustainable farming practices. As per reports, the firms hope to achieve their go-green goals via a series of projects that will see the light of the day in the forthcoming months. A gist of the areas that will be focused on through this alliance, is enumerated below:

• Nutrient and fertilizer management across areas that are environmentally endangered and require exclusive conservation, such as the Great Barrier Reef
• Creation of an interface between Ruralco’s loyal consumer base and its business counselors, by means of geospatial tools that will use real time data for effective decision making
• Identification of the ability and utilization scope of UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) for remote livestock detection
• Development of long-range sensing to bring about a streamlined, automated operational process across areas such as livestock safety, crop protection, water management, etc.

Ruralco’s management squad is reportedly thrilled with this mutually profitable partnership. The company’s Managing Director & CEO was quoted stating that since drone technology facilitates data-driven decision making, it will help farmers and landowners analyze agro-based issues such as plant growth, pest infestation, productivity, nutrient delivery, invasive species, etc. Data 61’s technologies are also expected to provide the much-needed digital effect on farming techniques. Lately, Data61 has also been working on making remote sensing robust, secure, and highly accurate.

MLA’s top officials are no less excited regarding the deal and expect to combinedly provide excellent digitized solutions to the agriculture sector by heavily penetrating the drone space. Apart from drone development, MLA’s alliance with Ruralco will also provide excellent, knowledgeable insights about the technology utilization and make an educational impact on the farming sector.

The latest estimates claim the Australia agriculture industry to be valued for more than USD 50 billion. The alliance between CSIRO and Ruralco demonstrates a period of enhanced growth for the agriculture sector, as the latter’s on-ground network, combined with the former’s professional expertise in agricultural innovation as well as research and engineering, will bring about the conception of a systemized digital solution framework, which will transform the dynamics of the regional agriculture industry.