2019, Volume 22, Paper 2
ISSN: 2209-6612

Potential Technology Adoption for the Australian Grape Industry and Effects on the Value Chain

Benjamin Pitt – Postgraduate student, Centre for Global Food and Resources, University of Adelaide.

Abstract

Being primarily an exporting nation it is vital that Australian grape and wine producers remain competitive into the future. In this analysis, some insights as to how technology adoption by Australian grape producers could positively improve their profit margins are provided. This can be achieved by either reducing cost, introducing advanced management practices, improving quality, preventative action in the case of disease and better management of weather events such as frost. Information has been outlined as the key factor in the value chain that needs addressing. At a producer level this review outlines how new technology could improve the efficiency and responsiveness of information. New technologies addressed are Normalized Difference Vegetation Index mapping (NDVI), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV’s), private onsite weather stations, soil moisture probes and precision agriculture yield monitoring. In conclusion, it is recommended that all scales of viticulture production adopt this new technology.

Key words: grower, information, technology, management, quality, efficiency.

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