Poor internet connections still holding farmers back

Poor quality and unreliable broadband connections are stifling growth and productivity on farms across the UK, a Censuswide survey has found.

The survey of 250 farmers, commissioned by infrastructure provider CityFibre, highlighted that, although almost two-thirds surveyed (60%) believe internet connectivity is critical for day-to-day farming, 8% of farms still have no internet connectivity.

See also: Government to invest £800m in rural broadband rollout

Against a backdrop of stubbornly low economic growth and the rapid rise in smart technology, the survey has raised concerns that UK farms are being held back.

NFU vice-president Rachel Hallos said: “To confidently produce more home-grown food, we need to be as efficient and productive as possible.

“Reliable internet and mobile access are key to achieving this.”

Rachel Hallos © NFU

Increased use of technology

Despite almost 60% of farmers expecting their use of technology to increase over the next five years, issues around connection reliability and speed are said to be the second-biggest barrier (42%), after purchasing cost (50%).

Almost half of those who have access to full fibre broadband (47%) said the main benefit was the use of precision farming technologies, while others stated greater efficiency in day-to-day operations (37%), diversification of farmland (33%), and greater access to administration tools (32%) as benefits.

Mark and Lindsey Ullyott, who run a mixed arable and bed & breakfast pig farm near Middleton-on-the-Wolds, East Riding of Yorkshire, are forced to rely on costly satellite internet.

“Strong internet connectivity is essential for modern-day farming – not just optional,” said Mr Ullyott.

“We are seeing a surge in cutting edge technology being introduced across the industry, and farmers who are unable to access reliable broadband risk being left behind.

“Ideally we would have more options available to us, including full fibre, but at the moment, satellite internet is our only option.”

Wider impacts

Meanwhile, 90% of those surveyed said they avoided using the internet during busy times of the day, causing disruption to daily schedules and family life.

Derbyshire dairy farmer John Chamberlain, who currently has a download speed of 1Mbps through a 90-year-old copper cable, said: “Beyond hindering the day-to-day running of the farm, the poor connection has affected my wife’s volunteering work and my daughter’s education as she has to go to her grandparents to do anything substantial online.”

Full fibre rollout

Government initiatives like Project Gigabit are therefore essential, says CityFibre, which has been awarded nine contracts, totalling more than £865m in government subsidies, to serve more than 500,000 hard-to-reach homes and businesses.

CityFibre chief executive Greg Mesch said: “Farmers need access to the cream of the crop when it comes to connectivity, if we are going to reap the full economic and technological benefits of Britain’s farms.”