Charles Sturt University and ASII partner on agricultural digital infrastructure

Charles Sturt University (CSU) and the Australasian Space Innovation Institute (ASII) have announced a partnership to develop shared digital infrastructure for the Australian agricultural sector. The collaboration integrates CSU’s Australian Agricultural Data Exchange (AADX) with ASII’s National Digital Twin for Agriculture Program.

The initiative aims to create a foundation that connects agricultural data, research models, satellite observations, and artificial intelligence. Rather than building a single digital twin, the project focuses on providing the underlying infrastructure to support multiple digital twins, research tools, and decision-support services. This allows researchers, agtech companies, and government bodies to develop new applications without recreating core data and modeling components.

Key datasets to be provided through AADX include information on soil, water, weather, and climate, while ASII will contribute expertise in satellite technologies and geospatial analytics. Initial applications include conducting virtual experiments, testing research models across different climate conditions, and placing trial results in various environmental contexts.

The partnership’s first project is a $465,000 initiative involving Meat & Livestock Australia. This project will use two case studies to validate the platform: one focusing on cattle and pasture management at CSU’s Wagga Wagga campus, and another targeting the management of invasive mimosa weed in the Northern Territory.