Key Takeaways:
- RTI International releases a new report on a proposed agtech innovation corridor spanning 42 North Carolina counties
- The plan is part of the CROPS project, a multi-university collaboration focused on climate-responsive plant science
- Report outlines five key opportunities to improve connectivity and access across the agtech ecosystem
- Most NC farms are small and rural, facing barriers to tech adoption and market integration
- Next steps include testing agtech tools via Extension Agent pilots and statewide strategic planning
RTI International Highlights Agtech Potential in New CROPS Report
A new report authored by RTI International and released July 16 outlines a strategy to develop a statewide agtech innovation corridor across 42 counties in North Carolina. The work is part of the Climate-Responsive Opportunities in Plant Science (CROPS) project, a regional initiative funded by the National Science Foundation.
The CROPS project is led by North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and includes contributions from Duke University, East Carolina University, North Carolina State University’s Plant Sciences Initiative, UNC-Chapel Hill, Wake Forest University, the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, and RTI International.
“Our work highlights the potential for North Carolina to lead in agtech innovation by building stronger connections between farmers, researchers, extension agents, and entrepreneurs,” said Amanda Rose, agri-food systems lead at RTI and lead author of the report.
Report Identifies Key Challenges and Opportunities
The report identifies five core opportunities to strengthen the state’s agtech ecosystem:
- Bridging gaps between research and farm-level adoption
- Accelerating commercialization of agtech products
- Using agtech to improve farmers’ market access
- Enhancing coordination among ecosystem actors
- Developing a job-ready workforce for the agtech sector
Despite North Carolina’s 180+ agtech companies and the global reputation of its Research Triangle Park, the report notes a disconnect between innovation hubs and the state’s 42,000 farms—over half of which are under 50 acres and mostly located in rural counties.
RTI Maps Corridor Assets and Use Cases
The proposed corridor draws on existing resources, including research stations, community colleges, farmer-led initiatives, and regional development organizations. One featured case study highlights how partnerships between farmers and developers can create mutual benefits: developers gain field-level feedback, and farmers access new technologies.
The report was based on a broad mix of data, including interviews, focus groups, and desk research. Contributions came from multiple stakeholders, including external reviewers from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, NC Department of Commerce, NC Chamber, and investment firm LeVert Ventures.
RTI International and CROPS Partners Plan Next Steps
To advance the strategy, CROPS partners will disseminate report findings to inform strategic planning across the state. Efforts include compiling a digital resource hub and launching a pilot program where Extension Agents work with startups to field-test new agtech tools.
RTI International, working with its CROPS partners, aims to position North Carolina as a model for inclusive, farmer-connected agtech innovation—ensuring that small and rural farms can engage with, and benefit from, the state’s expanding agtech landscape.
Read the entire report here.
