Queensland has a new program for agtech startups tackling plant health

A new agricultural innovation program for is setting up in Toowoomba, 125km west of Queensland, to support startups focused on enhancing plant health.

The Agtech and Logistics Hub in Toowoomba is delivering the open innovation initiative in conjunction with industry body Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA).

The OpenGround program will bring together scaleups and innovation startups with leading minds from academia, industry, agribusiness, research and government to collaborate on solutions.

Expressions of Interest (EOIs) are now open for OpenGround, and startups from around the global are invited to apply

Participants will gain access to key networks to advance their market-ready solutions and will have the opportunity to take part in a Demo Day on November 23.

The OpenGround program focuses on discovering innovations that support the future of sustainable agriculture through plant health to transform crop and pasture management.

The ideas can span everything from plant establishment, to pests, nutrition, utilisation by livestock and grazing management and their impacts on soil, water, and the natural capital resources.

Agtech and Logistics Hub manager Owen Williams said the OpenGround program to grow solutions in plant health was vital given the increasing number of mouths to feed globally and climate challenges.

“With a growing world population, a changing climate and the rise of Environmental, Social and Governance, plant health has never been more important,” he said.

“It is critical to address challenges around plant health given our food supply relies on plants that can grow and produce strong yields and healthy pastures for livestock in the face of pests and environmental challenges.”

The OpenGround program will include a special Demo Day at the Hub on November 23, for participants to showcase their ideas to the industry.

EOIs close on October 13. More information vat agtechlogisticshub.com.au/openground/