Smart Farming – Technology Transforming Agriculture

Join us for the 2025 La Trobe Industry Innovation Series as we deep-dive into the future of Smart Farming - exploring how cutting-edge technologies are transforming how we grow, manage, and sustain food production.

This focused session brings together experts from Driscoll’s Australia, Polybee, La Trobe University and more who are at the forefront of applying digital innovation to real-world farming challenges.

From AI-powered monitoring and robotics to drone pollination and precision data analytics, learn how smart technologies are improving productivity, sustainability, and resilience across the agricultural sector.

What to Expect:

• Expert insights from leading agtech organisations and researchers

• Real-world applications of robotics, sensors, drones, and data in farming

• Discussions on sustainability, climate adaptation, and supply chain efficiency

• Networking opportunities with industry professionals, researchers, and students

This event is ideal for growers, agribusiness professionals, researchers, entrepreneurs, and students looking to understand and adopt smart farming approaches that drive the future of agriculture.

Details

Date: Tuesday 1 July 2025, 5 – 7pm   
Venue: Digital Innovation Hub (L2, Jenny Graves Building, Melbourne Campus).  
Map Ref: 8G
Format: In-person 
Cost: Free

Speakers and topics

• Roberto Barajas, Operations and Planning Director, Driscoll’s Australia

  'Automation in the Berry Industry: A Necessity, Not a Luxury'

Sparking meaningful discussion and highlight the urgency of adopting AgTech in berry farming

• Siddharth Jadhav, Founder & CEO, Polybee

  ‘Increasing profits in fresh produce through automation and intelligence’

Understanding how autonomous pollination and yield forecasting with drones and AI has consistently reduced uncertainty in decision making and improved profits for fresh produce growers.

• Professor Mathew Lewsey, Node Director, ARC Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space, La Trobe University

  ‘Advancing Plant Biology on Earth and in Space'

Exploring technologies for protected cropping and vertical farming in extreme environments.

Snapshot: Industry Innovation Series

La Trobe University proudly presents the Industry Innovation Series.

Each session will feature a one-hour lecture-style presentation – followed by audience Q&A and networking opportunities – focusing on a critical topic, such as agriculture, health and wellbeing, biotechnology and digital innovation. Pivotal research outcomes and industry insights will be spotlighted, as well as technology innovations and impactful partnership opportunities.

Global impact needs to start somewhere, so we’re making it happen right here and now. At La Trobe, we’re not just shaping the future – we’re a community of industry professionals, researchers, academics and graduates who are on-the-ground transforming lives every day, including today.

The Industry Innovation Series is curated to support and inform industry professionals working within or seeking to learn more about the highlighted fields, and the opportunities available to drive innovation and success.