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Ag Technologies
Background
Agriculture in Yuma remains highly efficient and productive, generating over $4B in economic activity each year as a major producer of the nation’s vegetables, as well as melons, wheat, cotton citrus and other crops. However, growers in the desert face increasing challenges due to rising labor costs and a growing emphasis on sustainable practices for water, pesticide, and fertilizer use. In response to these challenges, growers are integrating new agricultural technologies (AgTech) into their operations. These data-driven technologies, which include robotics, drones, sensor networks and artificial intelligence (AI) software, will help growers offset rising production costs and improve resource-use efficiency, while reducing environmental impact.
Examples of AgTech
Automated crop thinners and weeders are robotic tractor implements equipped with numerous camera sensors and machine learning to identify target plants to be destroyed by mechanical devices, lasers or precise herbicide spot-treatment. These machines offer numerous benefits including reduced labor costs and pesticide use, as well as improved accuracy of thinning.
Drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), are versatile tools which can perform tasks including crop observation, data collection and pesticide application. Equipped with GPS for navigation and high-resolution cameras (including those with multispectral or hyperspectral capabilities), UAVs fly over a field to collect imagery which can provide useful information such as stand counts for yield estimation, crops stress indices and disease detection.
Weather stations and other environmental sensors can be installed in the field to measure temperature, humidity, solar radiation, soil moisture, nutrients and many other parameters critical for making informed crop management decisions. These sensors can be installed throughout the field to improve spatial resolution and develop a finer understanding of the local climate and how it influences the crop. When connected to a wireless network, the grower can access the data remotely to understand current field conditions without having to drive to the field to manually download the data from a datalogger.
AgTech Integration
A collaboration between the University of Arizona Cyber & Information Technologies, Sun Corridor Network, Yuma County, YCEDA, and other key stakeholders led to the creation of a wireless "Smart Farm" at the Yuma Agricultural Center. With full integration anticipated by 2026, the site is set to become an AgTech Smart Farm Innovation Hub, fostering collaboration, creativity, and technological advancement between technology companies, researchers and the local agriculture industry. A 10G wireless system will enable connectivity across more than 150 acres, offering a real-world testbed where innovative AgTech developers can test and refine their technologies in desert farming conditions, without depending on commercial farms. This hub will also serve as a collaborative space for new AgTech startups, researchers, students, and industry professionals to devise inventive solutions aimed at boosting the sustainability and productivity of desert agriculture.
Yuma offers an extremely unique and valuable environment for AgTech research and development, with a nearly year-round growing season and the ability to grow a wide range of different crops. With no harsh snowy winters, the extended planting window enables multiple research projects to be conducted within the same season, eliminating the need to wait until the following year for repetition.
Wireless Connectivity for AgTech
To realize their full benefit of AgTech, devices and machines must have the ability to send and receive data in the field, in real time. Wireless broadband is a key piece of infrastructure which is critical for adoption of AgTech in rural agricultural areas. Al-based predictive analytics tools need the ability to rapidly upload large datasets to the cloud for processing to provide insights to growers and crop advisors in real time. Sensor networks and cameras require remote access capabilities to avoid unnecessary driving, fuel and labor costs, and fleets of autonomous equipment will soon need to synchronize their activities through uninterrupted communication.
Many growers operate across multiple locations, and for new technologies to be practical, they must work reliably at all farm sites. New technologies must work every day and at all locations across Yuma County, ensuring consistent connectivity across Yuma's greenbelt, which is essential to supporting the adoption of these cutting-edge solutions and maintaining the region's productivity. The expansion of wireless broadband for agriculture is the next major step to fully integrating new and innovative technologies into desert food production.
Significant investments in Yuma’s economy are addressing the critical need for wireless connectivity to support AgTech. In 2021, Yuma County secured $31 million in federal funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) COVID-19 relief funds to develop a high-speed fiber optic Middle Mile broadband network, expanding high-speed internet access for residents and businesses across the county.
In a groundbreaking initiative, YCEDA, in partnership with Yuma County and other stakeholders, is leveraging a $6 million grant to build a rural broadband network specifically for the local agriculture industry, accelerating AgTech adoption. This network will feature over 30 strategically positioned towers linked to the Middle Mile, ensuring robust, high-speed connectivity for AgTech throughout Yuma County’s greenbelt.
By enhancing Yuma’s digital infrastructure, this project will drive greater efficiency, precision, and sustainability in farming, ultimately boosting productivity and profitability. Once fully implemented, Yuma County will become the first in the nation where all farms have the capability to function as smart farms, establishing a 200,000-acre real-world testing ground for cutting-edge AgTech innovations.
AgTech’s Future Economic Impact
Yuma's agricultural landscape offers an exceptional opportunity to serve as a leading test site for AgTech innovation in specialty crops. With its diverse climate and crop production, the region provides an optimal setting for testing and refining advanced technologies designed for arid agriculture. By establishing itself as a hub for AgTech development, Yuma can pioneer solutions that address the unique challenges faced by growers in similar environments worldwide.
The widespread integration of AgTech will spur job creation and workforce development, equipping local workers with valuable skills and attracting agricultural technology companies to invest in Yuma. This wave of innovation and investment will bolster the local economy, creating a dynamic environment dedicated to advancing technology for desert agriculture. Moreover, the expansion of high-speed wireless connectivity across Yuma’s farmland will enable growers to adopt cutting-edge farming technologies, enhancing efficiency, productivity, and profitability.
Through these forward-thinking initiatives, YCEDA is not only tackling today’s agricultural challenges but also shaping a more connected, innovative, and resilient future for Yuma. By driving technological advancements and expanding connectivity, Yuma will continue to lead the way in desert agriculture, fostering progress and innovation for years to come.