National Pork Producers Council President David Herring, a pork producer from Lillington, N.C., on April 12, joined President Trump, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai and Ivanka Trump for an announcement on the administration’s plan to make the United States the global leader in 5G wireless deployment. Today, Herring issued this statement:

“It’s meaningful that the administration has made the development of rural communities a centerpiece of its plans to deploy next generation broadband technology. While ‘smart cities’ and immersive gaming experiences may be more glamourous applications, no economic sector will benefit more from advanced broadband technology than farming, which will use it to more reliably gather data about barn temperatures, efficient water use, soil characteristics, feed consumption and other factors that help us better care for animals, the environment, people and communities.

“Agriculture is a competitive strength for the United States. Americans enjoy the safest, most affordable and highest-quality food in the world. Our farmers, who produce one of our nation’s strongest export products, will play a leading role in meeting the ever-growing food-security challenge presented by a global population that will reach nine billion by 2050. Technology is a critical component for sustainably and successfully meeting this challenge. I would like to thank President Trump, Chairman Pai and Ivanka Trump for their commitment to our producers and rural communities, and their recognition of the critical role technology plays on our farms.”

Friday’s White House announcement included administration plans to create the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, which will inject $20.4 billion into high-speed broadband networks in rural America over the next decade.

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