A new collaboration aims to activate Australia’s agritech sector by connecting it with emerging quantum capability and sparking a conversation about what quantum means for the future of farming.
June 2026 — The Australian Agritech Association (AusAgritech), Australia’s peak national body for agritech, is working with Quantum Australia, a national initiative supported by the Australian Government, to engage industry in exploring the opportunities and implications of quantum technologies.
Agriculture is under increasing pressure. Changing climate patterns, growing demand, and resource constraints are pushing the sector to look beyond the tools of today — and quantum technology is beginning to emerge as the next layer of that transformation.
“Quantum is no longer theoretical. It is ready to start integrating with industry, and the agriculture sector needs to be part of that conversation,” said Britta Marsh, Executive Officer at AusAgritech. “Through this partnership we are bringing our agritech members to the table with some of quantum’s brightest minds to find out exactly what is possible.”
Quantum computing offers capabilities that go well beyond what classical computers can process — from complex optimisation and improved seasonal forecasting, to earlier detection of crop disease through advanced pattern recognition, and more precise modelling of how and where resources are needed. Pilot programs are already underway across agriculture globally, and Australian researchers are actively contributing to that work.
Quantum Australia Partnership Development Manager Claire Pink said the collaboration opens up a direct pathway for agritech innovators to engage with quantum capability at a practical level.
“The agritech community is incredibly dynamic, and quantum technology has real potential to address some of the challenges that matter most — from optimising resources across large-scale cropping and livestock operations to building more resilient supply chains. We are excited to work alongside AusAgritech to start those conversations and help industry understand what quantum could mean for them.”
The collaboration will be activated through a program of joint events across 2026. The first will be a kick-off webinar designed to cut through the jargon and give agritech innovators a clear-eyed introduction to quantum technology and where researchers are already seeing its role in agriculture.
“We are excited to kick things off with a webinar that breaks down what quantum actually is and how researchers are seeing its role in agritech,” Marsh said. “Later in the year, we will host an industry roundtable bringing our members together with the Quantum Australia team to explore what the next frontier of agritech could look like.”
Additional in-person meetups and capability-building sessions are planned throughout 2026, including a sideline event — the Quantum Australia Breakfast at AgTech26 in Emerald this July. This event will bring together leading Queensland researchers and quantum startups to lead the conversation on where agritech and quantum technologies intersect, helping to shape emerging opportunities and future collaborations.
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About Australian Agritech Association
AusAgritech is Australia’s peak body for agricultural technology, representing founders, investors and enablers across the agrifood supply chain. Agritech encompasses the use of technology, digital solutions and innovative products to increase efficiency and profitability across the agrifood supply chain. AusAgritech’s mission is to elevate Australian agritech globally by fostering connections, driving innovation and advocating for growth within a thriving, interconnected ecosystem.
About Quantum Australia
Quantum Australia is the national industry growth centre for quantum technology, established to accelerate the development, commercialisation and adoption of quantum technologies across Australia. Backed by the Australian Government, state governments and 13 university partners, Quantum Australia brings together researchers, startups, industry, investors and government to transform world-leading research into real-world applications, globally competitive companies and economic growth.
Through national collaboration, industry engagement, venture creation and use case development, Quantum Australia is strengthening Australia’s sovereign quantum capability and positioning the nation as a global leader in quantum technologies.
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