Could fibre optic broadband help the farming industry?

The farming industry could be improved and made a more attractive employment avenue for young people if super-fast internet was supplied to certain areas.

This is according to a new report by the Commons environment committee, which recommended funding be provided to install connections of a minimum 20 Mbps to remote regions, reports the Daily Telegraph.

Fibre optic broadband users will already know how much of a difference a speedy, reliable service can make to small businesses.

Similarly, farmers would be able to do paperwork online, so that physical labour required to preserve green spaces is more worthwhile.

"The challenge is to find a way to reward farmers while preserving their way of life and wonderful landscapes of our uplands," said chairman of the committee Anne McIntosh.

In recent days, the issue of supplying super-fast broadband to rural areas was also discussed by the Broadband Stakeholder Group, which said building next-generation infrastructure was going to require some patience.