Over the past year the Queensland Government, through its VET Emerging Industries initiative, has funded the Agricultural Digital Support Work Placement Program. The program, delivered by Queensland Farmers’ Federation, has connected 8 early career AgTech Officers with work placements in agribusinesses throughout while providing them with accredited training, mentorship, and networking opportunities.
The program has proven invaluable, not only to the AgTech Officers who are furthering their careers in this dynamic and exciting field, but also for the host agribusinesses according to Luke Malan, the Managing Director and co-founder of Aglantis, a participating host.
Agribusiness hosts benefited from a QFF facilitated recruitment and placement process, as well as ongoing support to help host organisations increase their capacity and exposure to knowledge, skills, support and confidence when it comes to adopting new digital technologies.
For Aglantis, a smart farming solutions business based in Ayr, joining the program offered a chance to expand their service offering and on-the-ground delivery to farmers.
“We joined the AgTech Officer Placement Program to enhance our ability to deliver innovative, practical solutions to farmers,” said Mr Malan.
Aglantis specialises in simplifying precision agriculture for farmers by offering services such as GPS software, cloud-based farm management, and smart irrigation solutions. Aglantis helps farmers save time, adopt sustainable practices, and improve productivity through advanced technologies.
“The program offered a unique opportunity to grow our expertise and expand our service offerings, enabling us to support farmers in adopting sustainable practices and improving their operations.”
Aglantis’ AgTech Officer Barry Cross has been an excellent addition to Aglantis, strengthening the business’ ability to provide tailored, impactful solutions to their clients.
Barry says that seeing the direct impact his work is having on farmers’ lives and operations is his favourite part of the role.
“Helping farmers adopt solutions that save them time, reduce labour challenges, and improve productivity is incredibly satisfying. I also love the problem-solving aspect—every day is different, and it’s rewarding to tackle challenges head-on and see results in the field,” said Mr. Cross.
Barry also encouraged others considering a career in AgTech, especially those with a passion for sustainability and innovation to seek out opportunities in the field.
“AgTech is one of the most exciting and rewarding fields to be in right now. It’s about combining cutting-edge technology with practical farming knowledge to solve real-world problems. If you’re passionate about making a tangible difference in agriculture, improving sustainability, and driving innovation, this is the career for you. Plus, the opportunities to learn and grow are endless.”
Luke said Barry has been instrumental in delivering innovative solutions like smart irrigation and Global Positioning System (GPS) optimisation which helps farmers improve efficiency and adopt more sustainable farming practices.
When asked what advice he’d give to other businesses considering taking on board an AgTech Officer he said that it’s a fantastic way to build capacity, deliver greater value to clients, and support the future of sustainable agriculture.
“The training and support provided through the program have also significantly enhanced our expertise and capacity to assist farmers,” Mr Malan said.
The Agricultural Digital Support Work Placement Program is proudly funded by the Queensland Government through its VET Emerging Industries initiative.