Ag has always been a tech industry

You might think a farmer’s most-used piece of technology is the tractor, but I’d argue that it’s the smartphone. This might sound like a punchline, but the truth is that agriculture has always been a technology industry, even if we don’t always recognize it as such.

Apps like FieldView and Acres have become critical tools for decision-makers in the agricultural system. Indeed, promises of the potential and importance of technological advancements in agriculture have been a part of the system for centuries.

A little over 200 years ago, Thomas Malthus famously predicted that the world’s population would outgrow its food supply, leading to widespread famine and disaster. Malthus’ prophecy, terrifying as it was, underestimated one crucial factor: humanity’s capacity for innovation. The history of agriculture is a history of technological advancement, proving time and again that innovation can outpace even the most dire predictions.

In the 20th century alone, agribusiness entrepreneurs pushed forward a series of technological breakthroughs that dramatically increased agricultural yields. The introduction of synthetic fertilizers, the development of high-yield crop varieties during the Green Revolution, and the mechanization of farming with tractors and harvesters all contributed to unprecedented growth in food production.

The need for innovation in agriculture shows no signs of slowing, given the looming geopolitical and climate crises. However, the potential of current technological advancements is immense. Artificial intelligence, precision farming and genetic engineering are the new frontiers. Drones equipped with multispectral cameras monitor crop health in real-time, machine learning algorithms predict the best times to plant and harvest, and CRISPR technology is used to develop crops more resilient to climate change.

Despite the enormous need, we face a pressing issue: public funding for agricultural research and development has steadily declined. This trend is alarming, as the pace of innovation is crucial for sustainable food production in the face of a growing global population.

To address this, we need a concerted effort to jumpstart growth in agricultural research. Here are three ways we can do that:
• Increase research and development funding in the Farm Bill.
The Farm Bill is a critical piece of legislation that shapes U.S. agricultural policy. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates indicate that agricultural research provides one of the highest returns of any public research investment, generating $20 on average for every $1 spent. Agricultural research funding from federal and state governments has declined by about 20% over the past two decades. By increasing money for research and development, we can ensure that American agriculture remains at the cutting edge of innovation.

• Boost state funding for agricultural experiment stations and extension.
Agricultural experiment stations are the backbone of applied research, providing farmers with the latest innovations and techniques. Despite this importance, funding has slipped for decades. Adjusted for inflation, the Arkansas Experiment Station funding slipped by about 8% from 2004 to 2018. State governments should increase funding to these stations to support the development of new technologies that can be rapidly implemented in the field.

• Foster public-private partnerships.
Collaboration between public research institutions and private companies can lead to groundbreaking outcomes. A great example is the Ag Economy Barometer, which links Purdue University’s Center for Commercial Agriculture and the CME Group to provide monthly nationwide measures of the health of the U.S. agricultural economy.

By leveraging the strengths of both sectors, we can accelerate the development and adoption of cutting-edge agricultural technologies.

Agriculture has always been a technology industry and will continue to be one if we invest in research and innovation. The future of food security depends on our ability to push the boundaries of what’s possible, and that requires a commitment to funding the research that will drive the next wave of agricultural breakthroughs.

Editor’s note: Trey Malone is the Boehlje Chair in Managerial Economics for Agribusiness at Purdue University and was recently the agricultural economist at the University of Arkansas. The opinions expressed are those of the author.