Agribusiness is the number one industry in Georgia generating more than $75 billion in economic impact annually. This industry is reliant upon AgTech, encompassing many ecosystems such as manufacturing, Supply chain & logistics, infrastructure, and transportation tech. Georgia has many programs that support the state’s agribusinesses, and initiatives that seek to enhance and strengthen the industry.
One such initiative is the Georgia Broadband Deployment Initiative (GBDI). As we are all aware, rural broadband access is a pressing issue across the country. The GBDI calls for the promotion and deployment of broadband services throughout the state to unserved areas with a minimum of 25Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload speeds. Visit the GBDI website to learn more and checkout the Georgia Broadband Availability Map.
Another initiative is IoT.ATL’s AgTech Living Labs program. Launched last year, Living Labs begins as a nationwide AgTech startup competition searching for scalable solutions to food insecurity issues in metro areas. The five 2019 finalists were showcased in shipping containers along the Atlanta Beltline for twelve months and received mentorship connecting the companies to Atlanta’s innovation ecosystem. I am excited to see which companies will be showcased as this initiative continues.
Our higher education institutes also contribute to and help develop AgTech in the state. Georgia Tech has a Food Processing Technology Division that utilizes advanced imaging, sensor technologies, robotics and automation systems to research food quality and safety. University of Georgia has multiple programs including the Food Product Innovation and Commercialization Center, which helps companies develop and improve food products and processes, and the Center for Food Safety, which works with the CDC to develop techniques to detect, control, and eliminate disease-causing microorganisms and toxins.
Next week, TAG is hosting a half-day program dedicated to AgTech with more than 20 speakers from government, corporate, and education. We hope you will be able to join us.
Georgia Farms: Connectivity, Technology, Trends and Policy
December 10, 2pm – 5 pm
REGISTER
Have a great weekend,
Larry K. Williams
President & CEO
