House Passes Precision Farming Act
The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the Precision Agriculture Connectivity Act, which establishes a Federal Communications Commission task force with the Agriculture Department to evaluate how to meet the broadband connectivity and technological needs of precision agriculture.
The task force will include farmers and ranchers, internet service providers, broadband mapping experts, and representatives from the satellite industry, electric cooperatives, precision agriculture equipment manufacturers, and local and state government representatives, according to the legislation.
The task force will, among other things:
- Identify and measure gaps in broadband coverage on agricultural land;
- Develop policy recommendations to promote the rapid, expanded deployment of broadband internet access on agricultural land, with a goal of achieving reliable service on 95 percent of agricultural land by 2025;
- Recommend steps the FCC should consider to ensure that the expertise of USDA and available farm data are reflected in developing future programs.
Source: Precision Farming Dealer