AgTech in the spotlight at World Science Festival

The impact of science and technology on agriculture will be in the spotlight today with World Science Festival Brisbane converging on Toowoomba. 

Science Minister Leeanne Enoch encouraged the local community to celebrate World Science Festival Brisbane’s first Toowoomba visit with the Farmer Wants a Science Life event at Cobb and Co Museum.

“This is the second time ever that the prestigious World Science Festival has been hosted outside of New York and the first time it has visited Toowoomba,” Ms Enoch said.

“As part of the World Science Festival Brisbane’s regional program, the Farmer Wants a Science Life event will explore how science and innovation is changing agriculture.

“The event gives the Toowoomba community a chance to explore how science is changing agriculture and food production, and to hear from scientists and producers about the future of farming,” she said.

Ms Enoch said innovation in agriculture was key to meeting the increasing demand for food supplies due to population growth.

“Science can help us meet the growing demand by developing products and practices to increase crop yield and quality; adapting plants to grow with less water and in non-arable land; and it can help improve crop production through technology,” she said.

“The Palaszczuk Government’s $405 million whole of government Advance Queensland initiative is supporting a number of researchers and innovators to help our agricultural industries.

“From pioneering agricultural technologies, including robotics, greenhouse gas monitoring systems, and drought and disease-resistant crops, Queensland is leading the way.

“Advance Queensland funding has helped the development of the highly sought-after Queen Garnet Plum, and has supported QUT to design and build Agbot II, a robot that detects, classifies and kills weeds, potentially saving the Australia’s farm sector $1.3 billion a year in costs associated with weeding.”

Minister Enoch said Toowoomba’s event was part of World Science Festival Brisbane’s regional program. 

The World Science Festival Brisbane Regional Program is presented by Queensland Museum and the Queensland Government, in partnership with Tourism and Events Queensland with proud support from community partner QGC.

Toowoomba’s The Farmer Wants a Science Life event is proudly supported by Tourism and Event Queensland, Inspiring Australia and Felton Food Festival.

Media contact: 0412 393 909