US farmers see small gains in internet connectivity
Recent data from the US Census indicates a gradual improvement in internet access for American farmers, with the percentage of connected farms rising from 75.4% in 2017 to 78.7% in 2022.
Despite this progress, a significant 21.3% of farmers still do not have any form of internet access, a critical setback for implementing modern agricultural practices.
This issue is particularly pronounced in the southeastern states, where many farmers lag behind the national connectivity average.
The absence of reliable internet access limits these farmers' ability to engage with precision agriculture technologies, which require robust online capabilities to operate effectively.
To address these challenges, the FCC has set forth recommendations for internet performance standards necessary for supporting advanced agricultural operations. These include minimum speeds of 100 Mbps for downloads and 20 Mbps for uploads, thresholds that are currently unmet in many rural farming communities.
Enhancing internet access for all farmers is vital for leveraging agricultural technology to increase efficiency and sustainability. The ongoing efforts to close the digital divide will play a crucial role in the future prosperity of the agricultural sector and rural economies.
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