A bipartisan bill aimed at boosting innovation in agriculture has been introduced in Congress, with U.S. Representatives Mike Kelly (R-PA) and Mike Thompson (D-CA) leading the charge. The Supporting Innovation in Agriculture Act (H.R. 9263) seeks to provide tax incentives for investments in cutting-edge agricultural technologies, a move that proponents say will help modernize farming practices and strengthen the U.S. food supply.

“The Supporting Innovation in Agriculture Act-,Supporting%20Innovation%20in%20Agriculture%20Act%20of%202024,is%2030%25%20of%20such%20investment. “‌”) will allow for farmers and agricultural leaders to not only succeed today, but it will allow them to better utilize innovative technologies to ensure success for years to come,” Kelly said in a statement.

The bill-,Supporting%20Innovation%20in%20Agriculture%20Act%20of%202024,is%2030%25%20of%20such%20investment. “‌”) comes at a time when U.S. domestic fresh food supply faces a number of challenges. According to the bill’s-,Supporting%20Innovation%20in%20Agriculture%20Act%20of%202024,is%2030%25%20of%20such%20investment. “‌”) authors, disruptions in the supply chain, extreme weather, pests, diseases, labor shortages, and inflation are putting pressure on food production. Proponents argue that the adoption of innovative farming technologies could help mitigate these issues by improving crop yields, promoting environmental conservation, and enhancing the traceability of food throughout the supply chain. However, these advanced technologies often come with steep upfront costs, making it difficult for many farmers to adopt them without financial assistance.

H.R. 9263-,Supporting%20Innovation%20in%20Agriculture%20Act%20of%202024,is%2030%25%20of%20such%20investment. “‌”) seeks to address this barrier by offering a tax credit of 30% on investments in agricultural technologies or systems that incorporate precision agriculture or controlled environmental agriculture (CEA). These technologies are designed to increase the efficiency and sustainability of crop production, storage, processing, and packaging. The focus is primarily on specialty crops, which include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and nursery crops such as floriculture.

Precision agriculture technology, as defined in the bill, refers to any technology that helps reduce or improve the efficiency of inputs used in farming—whether for crop production, harvesting, or on-farm storage. CEA, on the other hand, covers any technology required to create and maintain optimal growing conditions for plants in closed, indoor production systems.

By incentivizing investments in these advanced technologies, Thompson says the bill-,Supporting%20Innovation%20in%20Agriculture%20Act%20of%202024,is%2030%25%20of%20such%20investment. “‌”) will not only bolster the U.S. specialty crop industry but also drive innovation and help American farmers stay competitive on the global stage.

The Supporting Innovation in Agriculture Act-,Supporting%20Innovation%20in%20Agriculture%20Act%20of%202024,is%2030%25%20of%20such%20investment. “‌”) has already garnered wide-ranging support. More than 50 national and state organizations, along with trade associations and agriculture secretaries from over 20 states, have voiced their backing. The bill-,Supporting%20Innovation%20in%20Agriculture%20Act%20of%202024,is%2030%25%20of%20such%20investment. “‌”) has been introduced in the House of Representatives and is now under consideration by the House Committee on Ways and Means.

If passed into law, this legislation could play a significant role in shaping the future of U.S. agriculture by encouraging farmers to adopt technologies that are essential for both economic sustainability and environmental conservation.