Unmanned aerial drones could soon be used in the early detection of pests and disease in South Australian crops.
Drones are among a number of new technologies being considered as options to reduce losses and safeguard the biosecurity of the state's grain crops.
Agriculture Minister Gail Gago says the state government will provide almost $1 million to a $5.5 million, five-year research project on the introduction of new technologies to the agriculture sector.
"The sophistication and development in sensor technologies is growing at an impressive rate," Ms Gago said in a statement on Wednesday.
"Near-infra-red, laser, acoustic and biosensor detection are being applied to a range of industries and agriculture, fisheries and environmental management are all set to gain."
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She said the high-tech approach could improve farm productivity and counter the negative impacts of drought and weather extremes.
