Automated platform for growers

GOLD Coast business Ditterich Agriculture, trading as BlockGrain, is taking technology to the farm with a gamechanging tool that helps growers analyse their grain quality, connect with global commodity markets, manage the supply chain and increase their profit margins.

Backed by the Palaszczuk government’s $420 million Advance Queensland initiative, BlockGrain developed a fully-automated platform to enable buyers, growers and logistic providers to interact domestically and internationally.

Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy Leeanne Enoch said Advance Queensland was helping to fast-track the development of platform technologies to improve the competitiveness of Queensland’s agricultural industries.

“BlockGrain received $95,000 from the Advance Queensland Ignite Ideas Fund to commercialise their market-ready innovation,” Ms Enoch said.

“The funding, provided in March 2017, will assist BlockGrain with enhancing the technology’s intellectual property protection, full integration of the platform with a handheld device and marketing it to new customers.”

Founder Caile Ditterich said the BlockGrain platform was designed by farmers for farmers and allowed them to connect with all levels of the supply chain and increase export opportunities.

“It helps to increase margins by creating supply chain efficiencies, expediting payments and expanding access to new markets,” Mr Ditterich said.