Agritech Programme Focusing on Digital Technologies
Artificial intelligence, machine learning and smart data are major themes at next year’s MobileTECH 2018. This is one of
New Zealand’s largest agritech events and will see technology leaders from throughout the agricultural, horticultural
and forestry sectors gather in Rotorua in late March.
The pace of change within the primary sector is continuing to be driven by advances in new digital technologies. While
New Zealand has been a world leader in traditional farming systems, it is critical for the sector to maintain and grow
productivity through the smart adoption of these new innovations.
“MobileTECH 2018 will continue to be a platform for change and showcase where the industry is headed,” said Ken Wilson,
MobileTECH’s programme manager.
“The 2018 programme will feature over 35 speakers covering disruptive topics like the integration of machine learning in
health and safety systems, blockchain for secure agricultural transactions and key learnings from the successful rollout
of the Internet of Things (IoT) to farms throughout New Zealand.”
Thundermaps uses machine learning algorithms and big data to redefine health and safety in rural locations. OSPRI now
use Thundermaps to protect their contractors working on farms. The system tracks millions of data points to ensure, via
a mobile app, that the contractor receives relevant real-time hazard warnings no matter how remote the location. Both
companies will be presenting at MobileTECH.
Blockchain is set to become the future for payment and supply-chain systems. Australian-based company, AgriDigital, will
be on-hand to discuss what this means for the primary industry. AgriDigital delivered the world’s first live settlement
of a physical commodity using blockchain technology. The pilot project saw the sale and successful delivery of 23 metric
tonnes of wheat to a beef farm in NSW using the blockchain system.
The Internet of Things has moved from being an exciting upcoming technology to one that is delivering real benefits to
early adopters throughout the industry. A number of speakers, including network provider Spark Ventures, agritech
company ReGen and King Country farmer Lachlan Chapman, will focus on the real-world application of IoTs.
“The MobileTECH 2018 programme will open with the big technology trends and discuss how we can improve investment and
collaboration within the agritech community,” said Mr Wilson. “Day two gets hands-on, highlighting practical case
studies on the adoption and use of these innovations by primary sector businesses up and down the country.”
MobileTECH 2018 will be running on 27-28 March 2018 in Rotorua, New Zealand. Further details can be found on the event
website, www.mobiletech.events.
ENDS
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