Reliable telecommunications, strong digital connectivity and trusted data practices are essential to the future of Australian agriculture. From mobile coverage and internet access, to enabling the adoption of on-farm technologies and precision agriculture, farmers must have confidence in how their data is collected, used and shared. Connectivity and data are increasingly critical to farm productivity, sustainability and resilience.
The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) is working to improve telecommunications services, build digital capability and strengthen transparency through initiatives including the On-Farm Connectivity Guide, and the Australian Farm Data Code.
In an increasingly digitally connected and enabled world, access to telecommunications is no longer a luxury; in agriculture, the increased emergence of cloud-based platforms and mobile applications requires connectivity in-paddock as well as at home.
The On-Farm Data Connectivity Guide is designed to assist farmers to better understand the key phrases used in the on-farm, agtech and connectivity sectors as they are relevant to agricultural operations. We want this guide to be a key reference point for industry to use, providing a basis for consistent use of language across the sector to assist farmers, and their technology advisers, to navigate the constantly evolving world of connectivity. Working together, we can help to lift the digital capability of Australia’s farmers to ensure that they are adequately supported to adopt digital solutions into their farming business.
For more information on telecommunications, visit our advocacy page; Innovation & Technology.
The Australian Farm Data Code (the Code) was developed and adopted by the NFF in consultation with industry. The Code is intended to inform the policies of service providers who manage data on behalf of farmers. It is also a yardstick by which farmers can evaluate the policies of those providers.
The Code is a voluntary code of conduct, and all product and service providers who manage farm data on behalf of farmers, either directly or further down the supply chain, are encouraged to comply with the Code’s principles.
The Regional, Rural and Remote Communications Coalition (RRRCC) is a group of like-minded organisations who have come together to end the data drought and to champion better communications services for consumers and small businesses living in rural, remote or regional areas.
The NFF is one of 21 members of the RRRCC alongside Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN). The Coalition works on policies for improving telecommunications in rural and remote communities.
