The Precision Agriculture Connectivity Act of 2018 would create a task force to evaluate high speed internet access on cropland and ranchland related to precision agriculture technologies. Supported by the Ag Broadband Coalition, which the American Farm Bureau Federation is a member of, the task force would develop policy recommendations to get farm equipment connected. AFBF congressional relations director R.J. Karney says the taskforce will identify connectivity challenges
FCC data shows 39 percent of rural Americans lack access to minimum broadband speeds, but there is no information about connectivity on farmland. Karney says farmers are turning to precision agricultural practices to streamline their farming practices, which require broadband connections.
Karney says farmers and ranchers need better access to broadband connections, and this legislation would address that need.
That’s AFBF congressional relations director R.J. Karney.
From the National Association of Farm Broadcasting News Service.