Queensland’s greenlife industry could benefit from a major new investment in agricultural technology and innovation, with the launch of the Queensland Government’s $30 million Sowing the Seeds of Farming Innovation Fund (SSFIF)
The fund, managed by Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC), is designed to back commercially viable innovations that improve productivity, resilience and sustainability across Queensland’s primary industries.
For Queensland growers and allied businesses, it signals growing recognition that technology and innovation will play a critical role in the future of production horticulture and nursery operations.
The fund will support investment in areas including automation, robotics, digital agriculture, sustainability solutions, remote monitoring systems, supply chain innovation and advanced production technologies.
Greenlife Industry Queensland (GIQ) CEO, Colin Fruk, said the announcement highlighted the increasing importance of productivity-focused innovation for the sector.
“Queensland growers are already incredibly innovative businesses, but like the rest of agriculture, we’re facing rising input costs, labour pressures and increasing expectations around sustainability and efficiency.”
“Investment in practical technologies that improve productivity, automate repetitive tasks and support smarter growing systems will be critical to keeping our industry competitive into the future.”
Potential opportunities for the greenlife sector could include:
The fund aims to accelerate the commercialisation of new technologies and help move innovation “from concept to on-farm application sooner.”
GIQ said ensuring production horticulture and nursery businesses are included in conversations around AgTech investment would be important as the program develops.
“Innovation in our sector doesn’t always look like massive machinery or broadacre farming technology,” Colin said.
“Sometimes it’s smarter irrigation systems, automated inventory management or technologies that help businesses do more with fewer inputs.”
“These kinds of innovations can deliver real gains for growers, improve resilience and strengthen the long-term sustainability of Queensland’s greenlife supply chain.”
The Queensland Government says the fund forms part of its broader goal to grow Queensland primary production output to $30 billion by 2030.
Businesses interested in the fund can learn more through QIC’s SSFIF information page.
Read more news and insights from Nursery & Garden Industry Queensland
Greenlife Industry Qld