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Broadband infrastructure in ag must be improved

An ag industry leader says rural broadband infrastructure is not keeping up with the technological advancements in the industry.

Eric Lescourret with AGCO Corporation says farmers have technology at their fingertips that can reduce input costs and maximize yields, but it is only as good as their rural broadband.

“We collect one kilobyte worth of data per plant- 32,000 plants per acre – and every year we plant 450 million acres,” he says. “So imagine the amount of data that’s flowing through our rural areas that requires a lot of infrastructure and that’s only going to be increasing.”

He tells Brownfield that the ag industry needs to work with the private sector and local government officials to improve broadband access to make sure farmers can continue to be a leader in feeding the world.

“I think it’s a matter of time until some of those countries that are importing our products become self-reliant as well,” he says. “This is of strategic importance and we need to make sure we have the right infrastructure and we invest in the future of our rural areas and our farmers.”

Lescourret says manufacturing companies like AGCO are changing the way they collect data to benefit farmers.

He says ag leaders will find a solution, but they must invest in the right technologies to improve broadband infrastructure.

Audio: Eric Lescourret, director of strategic marketing in North America