AGRICULTURE and Water Resources Assistant Minister Anne Ruston believes farmers need to lead the way in considering how WA's agriculture sector can better harness the opportunities of the digital age.
Ms Ruston, who was representing Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, opened the annual WAFarmers annual conference on Friday.
She discussed the theme Agversity: Information, Innovation, Inspiration and the role of government.
"This is an exciting time to be in agriculture," Ms Ruston said.
"There are tremendous opportunities for the sector presented by digital technologies, new trade deals and growing global demand for agrifood products.
"WA's farming sector is in a particularly strong position when it comes to capitalising on these opportunities.
"WA's farm businesses are among the most profitable in Australia and innovation continues to drive the industry forward.
"We believe government and industry have important and complementary roles to play in positioning the agriculture sector to realise the full potential of this exciting time and push the innovation frontier forward."
But the senator acknowledged that red tape was an issue for the industry.
"At a fundamental level, the government's role is to build sensible policies and practical measures and support strong and profitable business," she said.
"I truly believe the most important thing government can do to help your industry is simply 'get out of the way'.
"I believe our role in agriculture is way too intrusive, my challenge to industry and you is: how are you going to take control of your industry?
"We are equally committed to removing unnecessary inefficient regulation - we have removed in excess of $1 billion's worth of cost on business.
"We are committed to get rid of bad regulation.
"You can have good regulation, such as biosecurity... it is one of the highest things on our agenda at the moment."
Ms Ruston said the government is backing farmers more than ever before, to encourage them to innovate through a range of projects.
"Through the $4b Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper we are putting in place sensible policies, practical measures and an efficient regulatory environment to support a strong and profitable agriculture sector which can invest in innovation and new technology," she said.
"We are also increasing investment in our rural R&D sector; including through the $200m Rural R&D for Profit program to help foster an environment of innovation for our agricultural industries.
"I believe our farmers are the best in the world and this government will continue to work hard to create opportunities for the sector, including by delivering the best possible access to global markets and building the infrastructure of the future.
"In the agriculture portfolio since September 2013, we have achieved 70 key market access gains or restorations of suspended markets and 30 key market access improvements or actions to maintain market access."
"We've already secured trade deals with Japan, Korea and China, three of our most valuable agricultural export markets, and successfully concluded negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which was signed earlier this month.
"We are committed to ensuring Australia's farmers can fully participate in the opportunities of the digital age, by investing up to $29.5b towards delivering Australia's first national broadband network to all Australians, including those on the land, and improving mobile phone and wireless broadband coverage and competition in regional Australia through the Mobile Black Spot Program.
"It is pleasing to see the work of our agricultural industries and the sector's peak bodies in finding new and innovative ways to capitalise on the opportunities that are at our fingertips."