Farmers need high quality broadband, commissioners warns

Better broadband is crucial for rural businesses to prosper, particularly farmers who typically work in remote conditions, European farm commissioner Phil Hogan has said.

Speaking at Ireland’s National Ploughing Championships, Mr Hogan said: “We know access to reliable, high-speed internet connections will be absolutely crucial if rural areas are to thrive in the 21st century.”

While many might not consider broadband a vital service for a rural agricultural businesses, farmers are in fact increasingly turning to new technologies to boost their production output. Specifically, farms are using sensors and monitoring devices to improve their crop yield or track the health of their animals.

These devices feed information back to the farmers via the internet, so slow or even non-existent broadband can seriously hinder their business, Farmers Weekly reported.

Mr Hogan explained to attendees at the farming event: “In agriculture, farmers will benefit from new technologies such as increased use of sensors to track animal health and improve crop yields.

“This data can be relayed directly to their home computer or mobile phone, freeing farmers up to do other vital work.”

In a bid to get more farmers connected to superfast broadband, the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has urged rural businesses to make use of the Broadband Connection Voucher Scheme, which offers grants of up to £3,000 for firms to obtain broadband services. While it focuses on SMEs in 50 cities across the UK, the government initiative also includes surrounding rural areas.

The CLA has told farmers to check if they are eligible for the vouchers. The organisation has also said that while the scheme states that applicants must not have received more than €200,000 in grants in the last three years to avoid breaching state aid rules, this does not include payments made under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

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