Media CoverageTech makes biosecurity easier for growersA new $1.7 million mapping initiative is expected to change how fruit growers will soon respond to biosecurity threats. Drawing on citizen science by asking apricot, cherry, dried fruit, lychee, nectarine, peach and plum producers to log location data through an app, this technology could help protect Australian fruit from pests and disease. The aim…
ToolAustralian Tree Crop MapAustralian horticultural industries, including avocado, macadamia, citrus, olive, and banana, have collaborated to develop the ‘Australian Tree Crop Map (ATCM) Dashboard’, a national spatial dataset that accurately identifies the location and area of all commercial orchards larger than one hectare. Built to national mapping standards and openly accessible, the ATCM represents a landmark achievement in multi-industry data sharing and coordination. This project will now expand the map’s value by linking each orchard polygon with detailed industry-specific information such as crop variety, planting dates, management practices, and productivity metrics. By enriching the spatial layer with these attributes, the platform becomes a dynamic decision-support tool for stakeholders across the supply chain. The enhanced ATCM will support a wide array of agricultural outcomes, including improved traceability, market access, biosecurity preparedness, yield forecasting, and assessments of carbon storage and drought resilience. It sets a new standard for spatial data use across Australian agriculture, showcasing the power of collaboration and open-access platforms to drive innovation and build resilience across the sector. Ultimately, this initiative bridges the gap between spatial intelligence and on-ground productivity, reinforcing Australia’s global leadership in agri-digital infrastructure.
ProjectAdvancing the Australian Tree Crop Map for a digitally enabled agricultural futureAustralian horticultural industries, including avocado, macadamia, citrus, olive, and banana, have collaborated to develop the ‘Australian Tree Crop Map (ATCM) Dashboard’, a national spatial dataset that accurately identifies the location and area of all commercial orchards larger than one hectare. Built to national mapping standards and openly accessible, the ATCM represents a landmark achievement in multi-industry data sharing and coordination. This project will now expand the map’s value by linking each orchard polygon with detailed industry-specific information such as crop variety, planting dates, management practices, and productivity metrics. By enriching the spatial layer with these attributes, the platform becomes a dynamic decision-support tool for stakeholders across the supply chain.
Trade in the Digital Age: Agreements to Mitigate FragmentationFelicity Deane, Emily Woolmer, Shoufeng Cao and Kieran TranterArticleTrade in the Digital Age: Agreements to Mitigate FragmentationCross-border data flow is essential to contemporary international trade. However, transitioning from paper to digital in international trade has benefits and concerns. Concerns have led to an upsurge in data regulation as nations and regions impose restrictions on data flows and storage. This paper argues that, with increasing concerns about data sovereignty, the reconciliation of…
<span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span><span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span> VideoUsing sensors and machine learning to measure growth and health in protected cropping with Namal JayasuriyaEranda Namal Jayasuriya moved from Sri Lanka to Singapore to Sydney to pursue a passion for computer science. As part of the CRC’s ‘IoT for indoor cropping’ project team, he’s conducting sophisticated image analysis to monitor indoor crops
ArticleAn asset-backed decentralised finance instrument for food supply chains – A case study from the livestock export industryDecentralised finance (DeFi) has emerged as a blockchain-enabled innovation in supply chains that makes use of supporting infrastructure to transform financial services by reducing or removing the need for intermediaries. While an increasing number of pilotprojects have been exploring DeFi applications for use by small and medium enterprises(SMEs) in various finance scenarios, there is not…
Media CoverageNational map of protected cropping systems now available in draftThis journal is the official publication of the Australian berry industries; Strawberries, Blueberries, Raspberries & Blackberries. This publication has been funded by Hort Innovation using the Blueberry, Strawberry and Raspberry and Blackberry R&D levy and contributions from the Australian Government.
ArticleA blockchain-based multisignature approach for supply chain governance: A use case from the Australian beef industryThis paper designed and implemented a blockchain-based multisignature approach to digitally transform supply chain governance in multi-tier food supply chains, particularly in a geographically dispersed beef supply chain. An exploratory case study was utilised to demonstrate the design, implementation, and evaluation of a blockchain-based multisignature approach that was deployed on the Smart Trade Networks (STN) Proof of Authority (PoA) blockchain system for data collection and…
Natural Capital, Agriculture and the LawFelicity Deane, Evan Hamman and Anna HugginsPublicationNatural Capital, Agriculture and the LawThrough an extended study of agricultural land use and policy, Natural Capital, Agriculture and the Law presents a comprehensive legal analysis of proposals for protecting natural capital stocks and the sustainable use of ecosystem services, critiquing the legal challenges in designing and operationalising a workable natural capital approach. Evaluating legal considerations at international, national and…
ArticleBlockchain smart contracts for supply chain finance: Mapping the innovation potential in Australia-China beef supply chainsThis paper explores and demonstrates the innovation potential of blockchain and smart contracts for supply chain finance (SCF) based on cross-border beef supply chains from Australia to China. Our study adopts mechanism design and design-driven activities, and specifically employs the Agents Events Data (AED) process mapping method, which is a hybrid approach that combines Business…
ArticleSoil moisture sensing with mmWave radarSoil moisture is a significant factor that influences plant productivity and natural resource management. Accurate commercial soil moisture sensors often require manual data collection and cost thousands of dollars, which makes data collection inefficient and only accessible to high-budget smart farms. To achieve cost-effective and high-efficient soil moisture sensing, we propose a millimeterwave (mmWave) radar-based…
PublicationRevisiting trust in supply chains: How does blockchain redefine trust?Discussions about the use of blockchain in supply chains often claim a strengthening of trust. In this chapter, we argue that blockchains are not about trust per se and that supply chains can and do function effectively – with the mediation of blockchain technologies – without the presupposition of trust. Through the phenomenological lens of…
Governing the Digital Economy: An Exploration of Blockchains with Chinese CharacteristicsGary Sigley & Warwick PowellArticleGoverning the Digital Economy: An Exploration of Blockchains with Chinese CharacteristicsIn 2019 President Xi Jinping called for the prioritisation of blockchain technology as part of China’s next phase of development. In China, blockchain technologies have been experimentally deployed in various areas including court records, securities exchanges, finance, and food supply chains. The emergence of blockchain as a governmental technology raises numerous questions, including: (i) what…
Media CoverageKnown best as the host of cryptocurrencies, experts and economists say blockchain technology could be the future of working lifeLynsey Jackson was looking for a change when she quit her corporate finance job to assess her career options, before settling on a direction that would shock many. She sees her future in blockchain technology, beginning with a diploma of applied blockchain from TAFE Queensland. Most commonly known as the platform that hosts cryptocurrencies, blockchain is…
Smart Trade Networks websiteSmart Trade NetworksWebsiteSmart Trade Networks websiteSmart Trade Networks is a general-purpose technology platform, utilising blockchain technologies, that harnesses a diverse range of product provenance information as a basis of improved payments and confidence amongst supply chain participants. It removes doubt around product authentication and ensures the smooth flow of data and payments. It embraces both new and mature technologies to provide a robust system for the security and dependability of information within supply chains.
PublicationEnabling cross-border trade in the face of regulatory barriers to data flow – the case of the blockchain-based service networkThis reference text provides the theoretical foundations, the emergence, and the application areas of Blockchain in an easy-to-understand manner that would be highly helpful for the researchers, academicians, and industry professionals to understand the disruptive potentials of Blockchain. It explains Blockchain concepts related to Industry 4.0, Smart Healthcare, and the Internet of Things (IoT) and…
Mapping protected cropping systems in Australia, industry engagement featuring the PCS Survey - Craig Shephard & Joel McKechnieVideoMapping protected cropping systems in Australia, industry engagement featuring the PCS survey with Craig Shephard & Joel McKechnieMapping protected cropping systems in Australia, industry engagement featuring the PCS Survey
Media CoverageDigital DisruptorsIn this series we’ll celebrate the outstanding tech talent in Australia and recognise the innovators, disruptors, leaders and superstars of tomorrow, who are making a difference and shaping our future.
VideoGeneral purpose digital infrastructure enabling cross-border trade with Adj. Prof. Warwick PowellHear BeefLedger Chair Warwick Powell discuss the ‘Smart trade’ team’s blockchain-backed digital platform and its potential to streamline cross-border trade.
Media CoverageAgricultural traceability: Benefiting the future of farmingThe Australian government recently revealed that $68 million will be invested into a national agricultural traceability program which will help Australian farmers increase their export value. Agriculture traceability, to put in simple terms, is the journey of produce from paddock to plate. NewsCop talked to Dr Shoufeng Cao, an expert in blockchain agriculture traceability and…
