USDA Photo by Lance Cheung
A U.S. government-led initiative aims to empower farmers to adopt innovations that improve profitability and competitiveness. The USDA National Proving Grounds Network for AgTech (NPG-Ag) will evaluate new and emerging agricultural technologies, especially digital and AI-driven solutions, under real-world production conditions.
Scott Hutchins, USDA Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics (REE) said, “American farmers and ranchers are under real pressure, and they need confidence that new technologies will deliver real value on the farm – whether it’s through reduced inputs, reduced labor or greater efficiencies.”
The USDA National Proving Grounds Network for AgTech (NPG-Ag) is designed to meet that need by providing farmers and ranchers with robust, reliable performance data to inform their technology investments and accelerate their adoption of innovation.
The NPG-Ag network will also support the development of emerging technologies, ensuring that ag-tech companies address real-world needs and that U.S. farmers and ranchers are the first to benefit from the latest innovations.
The initiative will be led by USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (USDA ARS), working with other USDA research agencies. Grand Farm, North Dakota’s innovation campus for precision agriculture, will serve as USDA’s National Program Manager, while land-grant universities across the country will act as primary research and testing partners.