BROOKINGS – Michael Adelaine, vice president for technology and security at South Dakota State University, has been named of one of four individuals to chair working groups to look at the technology needs of precision agriculture.
The work groups are part of The Federal Communications Commission’s new Task Force for Reviewing the Connectivity and Technology Needs of Precision Agriculture. The task force will hold its first meeting at 9:30 a.m. today in the Commission Meeting Room at FCC Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Adelaine will chair the mapping and analyzing connectivity on agricultural lands group, which will help identify connectivity gaps on agricultural lands. Other work groups are examining current and future connectivity demand for precision agriculture, encouraging adoption of precision agriculture and availability of high-quality jobs on connected farms and accelerating broadband deployment on unserved agricultural lands.
“I’m grateful to these eight individuals for stepping up to lead the task force’s important working groups,” said FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. “The timing couldn’t be better. This week, I announced my plan for a new 5G Fund, which would set aside at least $1 billion specifically for deployments facilitating precision agriculture needs. The task force will play a critical role in assessing connectivity needs and demand, accelerating deployment on unserved agricultural lands, and promoting adoption of these broadband-based technologies. We’re at a revolutionary moment for American farmers and ranchers who feed the world, and the important work of the task force will help shape that connected future.”
