Tasmanian Government Media Release - 27 May 2008
Tasmanian farmers are accepting the challenge to go on-line and use communications technology to help their businesses. The FarmPoint website established under the Tasmanian Government's SMART Farming program has had a very successful first year. The FarmPoint website was launched in May 2007, with the aim of becoming the website of choice for Tasmanian primary producers. FarmPoint offers comprehensive information on all aspects needed to operate a farm business in Tasmania. There are about 5000 farm enterprises in Tasmania. FarmPoint already attracts just under 3000 individual users each month. This suggests that the website is achieving good penetration of its target audience.
The first FarmPoint computer and training program will finish next month, with 138 Tasmanian primary production enterprises involved since it began in September 2007. So successful was the program - delivered by the Department of Primary Industries and Water along with TAFE Tasmania, the Department of Education, Tasmanian Communities Online and TOPS - that it will run again later this year. Successful applicants gained an ex-government desktop computer and six hours of one-on-one computer training at a local Online Access Centre for $250, with up to 65% of that refunded by FarmBis.
Five of the computer and training packages were also given away at this year's Agfest. Almost 200 people will complete the training, and their feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. When surveyed, 94% said that their expectations had been met, 85% would recommend the program to others, and almost all found the training relevant. All Tasmanians who earn a majority of their income from a commercial primary production enterprise were eligible. They will also be eligible for a similar program running later this year, details of which can be viewed on the FarmPoint website from July.
For some producers, this has been their first foray into using cyberspace to find information and interact with others on-line. Some of them will go on to see further opportunities to use new technology for marketing or to assist with on-farm management.
