Too many farmers can't get broadband. That's a crisis for us all

To take advantage of technology, farmers require broadband connectivity in the fields where they operate. However, rural farm communities continue to be underserved with access to broadband infrastructure. In order to feed the world now and in the future, we must act, and act urgently, to expand rural broadband infrastructure—including delivering wireless connectivity to farming operations – to take full advantage of future precision agriculture technologies. 

Connectivity and technology’s role in sustaining our food supply isn’t confined to our increasing experience of ordering groceries online. It is essential to how food is grown by a farmer at the inception of the food supply chain. We must support farmers by ensuring they have connectivity to run their operations, regardless of the headwinds they face in a growing season, because ultimately, they’re supporting all of us.

[Jahmy Hindman is the CTO of John Deere.]