Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

'Precision agriculture' push with digital technology

Updated at 6:04 pm on 22 September 2011

Researchers, farmers and hi-tech companies are working together to develop the role of digital technology in the agricultural sector.

The Kiwi Innovation Network group of universities and research institutes was formed earlier this year with the aim of boosting the use of industry technologies in New Zealand to drive economic growth.

Agriculture was the focus of a forum on Wednesday at which members discussed how best to advise farmers on the uses and benefits of current technology.

Rob Lindores, the marketing manager of Trimble Navigation, a manufacturer of industry technologies, says accuracy is the key to being competitive on a global scale.

"The precision agriculture world is innovating at an extremely fast pace," he says, giving farmers the ability to manage all sorts of inputs and outputs such as fertiliser use and soil needs.

Mr Lindores says focus groups will be set up to work out how best to communicate the findings with farmers.

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