Congress’ impulse to regulate big tech could negatively impact California farmers | Opinion
Historically, being a successful farmer in California requires multiple skills across multiple disciplines, including biology, math, engineering, chemistry, soil science and meteorology. For generations, farmers passed these skills down to the next generation who used them with a healthy mix of intuition and elbow grease to — hopefully — remain profitable.
We all know that California is the world’s breadbasket. The Golden State creates more than 13% of the nation’s agricultural production value. California’s top 20 crop and livestock commodities account for more than $25 billion in value. We are America’s premier agricultural state.
So when talk in Congress turns to “regulating big tech,” most Legislators think of legislation that targets Silicon Valley. As it turns out, however, efforts by Congress to “reign in” America’s technological sector would likely hurt America’s competitive edge and dampen innovation. California’s farmers would also likely suffer as well — and, with it, America and the world’s food supply.
Opinion
Today’s farmer relies more on technology than ever before. Technology has transformed farming from relying on skills and lessons passed from one generation to the next to one increasingly dependent on computers and data science. Farmers leverage vast amounts of data to advance decision making in real time. Ag-tech has bridged the skills landscape through precision agriculture and robotic systems, allowing profitable farming to coexist with more efficient, safe and environmentally friendly farming methods.
As the head of the Central Valley Business Federation, an alliance of 50 diverse business groups from Madera County to Kern County, we educate and advocate far and wide about the positive impact California and the Central Valley have on the everyday lives of not only Californians, but also on the U.S. and the rest of the world.
We can and should say the same about technology’s importance to the agricultural industry. With more than 250 different crops grown in California — with some grown nowhere else in the country — California’s massive economic impact could be diminished or threatened if not for tech’s outsized influence.
The agricultural industry has seen multiple revolutions during the past 50 years. Advancements have, over time, expanded the speed, scale and productivity of farm equipment, leading to better, more efficient land cultivation. Today, 21st Century agriculture finds itself at the center of yet another revolution: Emerged and emerging technologies like sensors, GPS, robotics, artificial intelligence and the Internet increase yields, improve water efficiency, reduce the use of pesticides and fertilizer and create resilience and sustainability across crop cultivation.
For example, farmers use drones to map and monitor crop growth and improve irrigation.
In recent years, farmers have faced challenges associated with climate change and a rapidly growing population. This year alone has caused major concerns over prolonged rain and significant snow melt run-off preceded by significant drought conditions. Due to rapid population growth, which is estimated to hit 9.7 billion by 2050, the world’s demand for food has increased. To meet the estimated population growth, farmers will need to produce about 70% more food.
In short, Ag-tech’s benefits provide California’s agriculture industry enormous advantages.
Unfortunately, some members of Congress continue to push anti-innovation legislation that could handcuff America’s technology companies, including those that help California farmers compete and succeed.
It’s critical that California Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla, along with Speaker Kevin McCarthy, put tech’s role in agriculture front and center as they debate any future legislation dealing with America’s tech sector. Our leaders must pursue policies that empower and expand Ag-tech to help boost crop yields and use scarce resources more efficiently. Failure to do so would bring dire consequences for California farmers, American families and the rest of the world.
Clint Olivier is the chief executive officer of Central Valley BizFed.
