Earlier this year farmers were able to apply for round 1 of the On Farm Connectivity Program (OFCP), which provided over $13 million in grants to eligible primary producers. The grants were paid via rebates of up to 50 per cent for eligible equipment, covering half the cost up to $30,000.
Under Round 1 over 1,654 primary producers were able to access over $13 million in subsidised equipment.
This included soil moisture probes, antennas, liquid level monitors, livestock monitoring systems, weather monitors, boosters and repeaters, radio transmitters, cameras, and water flow and pressure monitors.
Round 2 will provide $18 million in funding for subsidised equipment, and is due to open for applications in the coming months.
The program provides 50% rebates for the cost of smart farming technology that can help to optimise soil quality and nutrient levels, monitor livestock, improve efficiency of water use, streamline farm logistics and boost customer connections throughout the world.
A number of design changes have been made to the program following feedback from Round 1.
Round 2 of the OFCP will broaden eligibility by increasing the primary producer revenue cap to $4 million. This will enable additional primary producers including broadacre farms and the wheat belt in Western Australia to extend connectivity on their properties and take advantage of connected machinery and sensor technology.
The minimum grant rebate has been dropped to $1,000 (GST exclusive) and Approved Suppliers will have up to 120 days to finalise the sale including delivery and installation.
An expression of interest process is open until 30th September 2024 for eligible businesses to apply to sign on to the program to become an Approved Supplier.
Hopefully more local businesses take up the opportunity to take part in the program, as the list of approved suppliers that took part in round 1 was very limited.
Through the Program, Approved Suppliers will have the opportunity to sell on-farm connectivity solutions and related devices to eligible primary producers. Equipment includes:
Following this, Round 2 will open for rebate applications from primary producers.
The OFCP is part of the Australian Government’s $656 million Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia which is improving mobile and broadband connectivity and resilience in communities across the country.
More information can be found here; https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/media-communications-arts/better-connectivity-plan-regional-and-rural-australia/farm-connectivity-program#_about
