Traditionally known as the “Breadbasket of New England,” the Connecticut River Valley is home to some of the most productive farmland in the nation. But today, farmers in the region face challenges ranging from climate change-driven weather extremes to pests and disease to low profit margins.
As a result, younger generations are less likely to view farming as a viable career path, and Massachusetts growers are aging. At UMass Amherst, researchers are studying ways to harness technology—including artificial intelligence (AI)—to enable smarter, more productive, and profitable farming.
“We have to be forward-looking,” says Jianyu Li, extension assistant professor of sustainable fruit and vegetable production in UMass’s Stockbridge School of Agriculture. “We need to use technology to make agriculture more efficient and profitable, and less labor-intensive.”
