Velvetleaf a real risk to crops
Any farmer that harvests or buys crops risks inviting one of the world's most invasive pest plants onto their property - to their detriment.
“And fast access to accurate traceability data is critical for preparing and responding efficiently to a biosecurity incursion.”
Onside’s mobile app for rural risk logs contractors and visitors checking in to rural properties and collects movement data, including of plant material, people, machinery and equipment, to manage health and safety and biosecurity risks. In the past six months, its new biosecurity tracing software, Onside Intelligence, has identified more than 1,000 check-in movements that presented a heightened risk of spreading a biosecurity threat.
In 2022 Onside partnered with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to fast-track the development and adoption of its biosecurity app through a $9 million multi-year project co-invested in by MPI’s Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund (SFF Futures). “MPI’s investment in our technology has been instrumental in getting it into the hands of industry partners working hard to protect farmers and growers,” Ryan says.
New Zealand Winegrowers (NZW) was one of the first industry groups to deploy Onside Intelligence, to test the system and improve traceability in the $2.3 billion viticulture sector. NZW Biosecurity Manager Sophie Badland says an incursion of a new pest or disease, like brown marmorated stink bug or Pierce’s disease, “could affect both grape quality and quantity, posing a significant challenge for our growers”. Unwanted organisms can be transmitted between vineyards through machinery and equipment, Sophie says. “Having a traceability system like Onside Intelligence potentially saves primary industries and the government a lot of time and money in the event of a response. By having movement data readily accessible, we can get ahead of any new damaging pests and diseases, which gives us the best chance of eradication.”
The SFF Futures partnership has also invested $100,000 in a dedicated science programme, which aims to ensure Onside’s traceability platform can meet the evolving challenges posed by global biosecurity risks. “Onside has leveraged some of the world’s leading scientists to support technology development that provides insights to improve the efficiency of readiness and response,” Ryan says. “The goal is to detect new incursions as early as possible and minimise impact and cost.”
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