The changes I’ve witnessed in ag-tech since my first rural finance job 40 years ago

18 January 2025

Opinion piece from QRIDA Regional Area Manager for North Queensland, Angelo Rigano 

When I began my career as a young banker in the late 1980s, farming in Queensland was a very different world. Back then, most operations relied heavily on manual labour, intuition, and experience passed down through generations. Looking back 40 years later, now as QRIDA’s Regional Area Manager for North Queensland, the integration of technology into both farming and finance is nothing short of remarkable.

In the cattle industry during the late 80s, record-keeping was often done in notebooks, and managing livestock involved physical counts and inspections. Today, electronic identification systems and satellite-based monitoring allow graziers to track their herds with precision and manage grazing land sustainably.

Horticulture has also undergone a seismic shift. Irrigation was often a matter of turning on a pump and hoping the water reached where it was needed. Now, precision irrigation systems, soil moisture sensors, and smart farming tools ensure every drop counts. Automation has also reduced reliance on seasonal labour, and AI-driven robotics are now sorting and packing produce with precision that would have been unimaginable decades ago. 

Broadacre cropping has moved from broad estimations of input needs to GPS-guided planting, fertilizing, and spraying. The introduction of drones capable of real-time imaging has revolutionised crop monitoring. Farmers can now pinpoint issues like pests or nutrient deficiencies with incredible accuracy and act swiftly to protect their crops. 

In sugarcane production, advancements in harvesting and irrigation technology have made a significant difference. Automated harvesters and mill optimisation have streamlined operations, while innovations like precision irrigation and bioenergy initiatives from sugarcane by-products reflect a commitment to sustainability that wasn’t on the radar in the 80s.

Reflecting on these changes, I am struck by the resilience of Queensland farmers who have embraced innovation to meet the challenges of climate change, market volatility, and consumer expectations.

As someone who started their career during a much simpler time, I feel privileged to have witnessed this incredible transformation, and to now work as QRIDA’s Regional Area Manager for North Queensland where I help primary producers use our Sustainability Loans to invest in agtech. The advancements in primary production are testament to the ingenuity and determination of our farming community and the partnerships formed between agriculture, technology, and finance.

Find out how QRIDA's Sustainability Loans can help primary producers and commercial fishers invest in ag-tech here.