The grant forms part of the Federal Government’s overall $10.7 million allocation of funds via the Sustainable Agriculture stream of ‘Caring for our Country.
ACTFA will use the funds to showcase benefits of using imagery from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV’s) to enhance overall farm production methods such as farm layout and minimum or no-till and stubble retention.
Also on hand to view the demonstration was Rob Hinrichsen as the ‘Eye in the Sky’ UAV flew over and captured high resolution imagery of Kalfresh fields.
The 18 month R&D and extension project will involve horticulture, cane and grain farmers in the Fassifern, Burdekin and Darling Downs regions.
The ultimate aim of the ACTFA project is to allow Australian growers to make plans for acquiring the technology when it matures in three to five years time.
The former Minister Ludwig who has a great interest in aviation technology was looking forward to the findings of the R&D project.
Labor candidate for Wright, Sharon Murakami echoes the Minister’s enthusiasm. “If this technology provides farmers with spot diagnoses and faster treatment of nutrition disorders, weeds and pests it increases productivity and reduces waste.
“Over 35 Queensland organisations were successful recipients of the latest round of the Federal Government’s Community Landcare Grants. Projects include Rural Women’s Sustainability Leadership Program, Sustainable Grazing Practices and the 2013 Queensland State Landcare Conference.
