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Rural Broadband and Precision Agriculture: A Frame Analysis of United States Federal Policy Outreach under the Biden Administration

Author

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  • Catherine E. Sanders

    (Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA)

  • Kristin E. Gibson

    (Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA)

  • Alexa J. Lamm

    (Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA)

Abstract

Global food security requires sustainable and resource-efficient agricultural production. Precision agriculture may provide the tools needed to intensify agricultural production while prioritizing sustainability; however, there are barriers such as initial investments, knowledge gaps, and broadband access that may hinder adoption. Many rural areas in the United States lack the appropriate infrastructure for broadband access needed for precision agriculture, indicating government policies are needed to expand broadband access. The purpose of this qualitative research study was to develop a conceptualization of the current frames used by the Biden administration in communications related to rural broadband and precision agriculture. The methodological framework used was frame analysis. Data were initially analyzed inductively for overall gestalt and subsequently analyzed with abductive coding. Five overarching frames were identified during the data analysis process: broadband access and economic issues, garnering support for broadband expansion, urgency and equity surrounding broadband, expanding beyond the rural, and broadband infrastructure and the agricultural sector. The findings revealed broadband access associated with the Biden administration expanded beyond rural areas, recognizing that cities also face broadband access and affordability issues. There was a lack of discourse, however, surrounding rural broadband policy and precision agriculture, which may downplay its importance in agricultural sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Catherine E. Sanders & Kristin E. Gibson & Alexa J. Lamm, 2022. "Rural Broadband and Precision Agriculture: A Frame Analysis of United States Federal Policy Outreach under the Biden Administration," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-15, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:1:p:460-:d:716238
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yangxuan Liu & Michael R. Langemeier & Ian M. Small & Laura Joseph & William E. Fry & Jean B. Ristaino & Amanda Saville & Benjamin M. Gramig & Paul V. Preckel, 2018. "A Risk Analysis of Precision Agriculture Technology to Manage Tomato Late Blight," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-19, August.
    2. Athanasios Balafoutis & Bert Beck & Spyros Fountas & Jurgen Vangeyte & Tamme Van der Wal & Iria Soto & Manuel Gómez-Barbero & Andrew Barnes & Vera Eory, 2017. "Precision Agriculture Technologies Positively Contributing to GHG Emissions Mitigation, Farm Productivity and Economics," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(8), pages 1-28, July.
    3. Sebastian Lieder & Christoph Schröter-Schlaack, 2021. "Smart Farming Technologies in Arable Farming: Towards a Holistic Assessment of Opportunities and Risks," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-20, June.
    4. Beatrice Garske & Antonia Bau & Felix Ekardt, 2021. "Digitalization and AI in European Agriculture: A Strategy for Achieving Climate and Biodiversity Targets?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-21, April.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Pan Rao & Xiaojin Liu & Shubin Zhu & Xiaolan Kang & Xinglei Zhao & Fangting Xie, 2022. "Does the Application of ICTs Improve the Efficiency of Agricultural Carbon Reduction? Evidence from Broadband Adoption in Rural China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-19, June.
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