A lack of reliable internet access is limiting productivity gains and delaying digital adoption across UK agriculture, according to new industry data.
The survey, commissioned by infrastructure provider CityFibre, found that 8% of farms still have no internet access, while 42% of respondents cite slow or unstable connections as a key barrier to investing in new technology. This comes despite nearly 60% of farmers expecting to scale up their use of digital tools—including AI and real-time data systems—over the next five years.
While cost remains the top obstacle to tech investment, poor connectivity is directly undermining the uptake of precision farming, operational automation, and digital admin tools. On farms where full fibre broadband is already in place, respondents reported tangible improvements in efficiency and diversification.
The issue goes beyond operations. Poor rural broadband is also disrupting workflows at the household level, with 90% of farmers avoiding internet use at peak times, creating friction in both business and personal settings.
CityFibre, one of the private players tasked with delivering the UK Government’s Project Gigabit programme, has secured £865 million in public funding to build out fibre networks across nine rural regions. Combined with private co-investment, the initiative represents £1.2 billion aimed at connecting over 1.3 million homes and businesses.
With agriculture under pressure to modernise amid rising costs and tight margins, the survey reinforces the commercial case for accelerated digital infrastructure in underserved areas.
