Experts Propose N.C. Ag Tech Innovation Corridor

A report released today (PDF) by a coalition of North Carolina institutions outlines a plan to establish an agricultural technology (ag tech) innovation corridor across 42 counties in North Carolina, with a vision of connecting the state’s technology, research and agricultural sectors in ways that broaden how farmers participate in and benefit from ag tech innovation.

The report authored by RTI International is one of a collection of insights being created as part of the Climate-Responsive Opportunities in Plant Science (CROPS) project, a partnership led by North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and including Duke University, East Carolina University, the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, the N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative at North Carolina State University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, RTI International, and Wake Forest University.

“Our work highlights the potential for North Carolina to lead in ag tech innovation by building stronger connections between farmers, researchers, extension agents, and entrepreneurs,” said Amanda Rose, agri-food systems lead at RTI and lead author of the report. “While the state has world-class research institutions and a growing ag tech industry, these resources often remain disconnected from North Carolina’s many small-acreage farms and farmers poised to influence and benefit from ag tech innovation.”

Opportunities to Strengthen N.C. Ag Tech

The report identifies five opportunities to strengthen the state’s ag tech ecosystem:

• bridging research-to-farm gaps,
• accelerating commercialization,
• leveraging ag tech to improve market access,
• enhancing ecosystem coordination
• and developing a job-ready ag tech workforce.

North Carolina is home to more than 180 ag tech companies and a globally recognized research hub in the Research Triangle Park. But the authors note that more than 70% of the state’s 42,000 farms are located in rural counties, and more than half are under 50 acres in size.

These farms can face barriers to adopting new technologies, accessing markets and participating in innovation networks.

Ross Sozzani, NC State’s principal investigator for the CROPS project, said that the report’s findings affirm the importance of the N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative’s efforts to strengthen connections among university researchers, the ag tech industry, farmers and others in the agricultural community.

“Such strong connections help ensure that scientific discoveries are translated into user-inspired solutions that improve agriculture, strengthen the economy and improve lives,” said Sozzani, a professor of plant and microbial biology and director of the N.C. PSI’s plant improvement platform.

The report includes several case studies that illustrate the potential impact of the ag tech innovation corridor. One example describes how partnerships between farmers and ag tech developers could help farmers gain exposure to emerging technologies while providing developers with valuable feedback to accelerate commercialization.

The authors drew from extensive primary and secondary data, including desk reviews, focus groups and interviews with key stakeholders to identify trends, challenges and opportunities in the state’s ag tech ecosystem.

Looking Ahead

Next steps for CROPS partners include sharing report findings with ag tech innovation stakeholders across the state to support strategic planning and resource mobilization efforts.

CROPS partners also are compiling and digitizing relevant N.C. ag tech innovation resources and piloting a cohort of Extension agents to beta test emerging ag tech in partnership with a North Carolina-based startup company. The cohort is part of an network established by the N.C. PSI.

Acknowledgments

Many individuals and organizations contributed to this report, including CROPS partners and external reviewers from the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, N.C. Department of Commerce, N.C. Chamber, and North Carolina-based ag tech investment firm LeVert Ventures.

CROPS is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) through the Regional Innovation Engines Type 1 planning award.

About RTI International

RTI International is an independent scientific research institute dedicated to improving the human condition. Our vision is to address the world’s most critical problems with technical and science-based solutions in pursuit of a better future. Clients rely on us to answer questions that demand an objective and multidisciplinary approach — one that integrates expertise across social, statistical, data, and laboratory sciences, engineering, and other technical disciplines to solve the world’s most challenging problems.

About the North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative

With 100 faculty affiliates from nine North Carolina State University colleges, the N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative brings together the brightest minds from academia, government and industry to solve complex agricultural challenges through interdisciplinary education, scientific discovery and innovation.