USDA is looking for ways to make better use of information farmers already provide to the agency. USDA Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics and Chief Scientist Scott Hutchins said modernization efforts should reduce redundant requests for information. “There’s a lot of information that farmers put in as part of those programs that we can begin to leverage and utilize,” Hutchins said. USDA is also rolling out AgInsights, a tool designed to make existing agricultural statistics easier to find and analyze. Hutchins said the system provides easier access to historical agricultural data and visualizations.USDA is also exploring the use of satellite technology, artificial intelligence and anonymous data from precision agriculture tools.
