The importance of broadband access and 5G for the implementation of precision agriculture in rural areas of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Telecommunications infrastructure is considered a key factor in the development of precision agriculture technologies in rural areas of the Republic of Kazakhstan, determining the quality of digital transformation of the agro-industrial complex. The relevance of the topic is determined by the fact that digitalization of the agrarian sector and the introduction of high-precision agricultural production require stable and high-speed data transmission, while rural areas are characterized by significant spatial heterogeneity. The objective is to study the impact of telecommunications parameters, including broadband access and fifth-generation (5G) networks, on the efficiency of crop cultivation on specific field plots in rural regions of the republic. Methods include systemic, comparative, and analytical approaches; analysis of statistical data from telecommunications opera tors, materials from the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan, international reports, and pilot projects on the use of digital tools to determine the level of adoption of “smart” farming methods in rural Kazakh stan. Results – a relationship is established between the bandwidth of digital platforms, signal stability, and the accuracy of IoT systems, unmanned aerial vehicles, autonomous agricultural machinery, and automated irrigation mechanisms. It is shown that the transition from 4G to 5G ensures multiple improvements in positioning accuracy, reduction of technological errors, increased efficiency of water use, and higher productivity of agricultural operations. A pronounced regional asymmetry of digital infrastructure is identified, forming the effect of “digital agrarian inequality.” Conclusions – it is substantiated that the telecommunications model is a structural element of digital transformation in the agro-industrial complex. Expansion of broadband coverage, optimization of 5G channels, and enhancement of digital competencies of agricultural specialists are key conditions for forming sustainable high-tech production systems. The results of the study can be used in the development of state programs for digitalization of the agro-industrial complex and in planning comprehensive investment projects

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