Organisation Context:

The client (Client) is a Government Funded Cooperative Research Centre. Cooperative

Research Centres are an Australian Government Initiative to improve the impact of

collaboration between Australian research organisations and Australian businesses.

Each Cooperative Research Centre is focused on a unique area of innovation.

Client’s mission is to harness the power of data and digital technology to

make Australia’s agri-food system more profitable, sustainable and globally

competitive.

The Client invests in world-leading research that is changing the way we

produce, supply and consume food. Together with our partners, we create new

data-driven technology for the agri-food industry using artificial intelligence,

robotics, blockchain, sensors, advanced data analytics and more.

Our partnership network spans the Australian agri-food and ag-tech industries and

includes eight leading universities. Our pipeline of research projects is worth

almost $200m.

Service Context:

The world is experiencing a digital revolution which is being dubbed as the 4th

industrial revolution moving us into a digital, knowledge-based economy. This

means we’re seeing a massive shift in the way that traditional sectors operate, with

the adoption of technology for both automation of labour and insights for decision

making.

The agriculture sector is also undergoing a digital evolution with the

implementation of real-time sensing technology, robotics, machine learning and

artificial intelligence changing the way we grow food. To date, however, the

distribution and uptake of digital technologies is uneven as a result of a highly

distributed food supply chain with diverse supply chain participants.

Understanding the existing capabilities and knowledge gaps within the workforce

will be critical to insuring adoption of digital technologies. The project

team is tasked with the creation of a workforce skills and training strategy to up skill

the Agri-Food supply chain to participate in a digital economy. Students are asked

to consider appropriate sectoral training and engagement, along with delivery

mechanisms for training material. For example, should training be delivered

directly to supply chain participants, or through engaged experts such as

Agronomists?

Project considerations:

Students will have access to the full project pipeline (under appropriate confidentiality restrictions). Students are encouraged to review the existing portfolio of projects access to relevant data can be provided on request.

Deliverables

1. Project plan to deliver a business case that asks for seed money (to be decided based on your research)

2. the business case

Notes:

1. The project will have 4 phases.

a. phase 1: 

– As Australian Agriculture transitions into the digital economy, what are the skills our farmers and food producers will need to participate? What training programs will we need to ensure that they develop these skills?

– Data map of future workforce capability requirements that will enable education and training bodies to develop programs.

– Strategy for education interventions to build next generation agri-food workforce capacity.

– Strategy for capability development frameworks and platforms to build innovation and that facilitate organisation change through adoption of new technology.

b. phase 2: Research and experiments that will lead to phase 3 and 4 

c. phase 3: MVP product to engage and educate farmers to use technologies. this will be based on using AI, machine learning also the need for using cloud storage and cybersecurity. 

d. phase 4: POC the delivery of the product including resources required, staff etc.