New 5G network coming to Yuma farms

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - A new high-tech project in Yuma could change the future of farming in the desert.

At the University of Arizona's Yuma Agricultural Center, researchers are testing a 5G network designed to improve how farmers manage crops and water use.

The project is part of a larger plan to build 34 broadband towers across Yuma County, covering up to 180,000 acres of farmland.

Officials say it will be the largest agriculture-only wireless network in the world once completed.

Researchers say the system will allow farmers to monitor crops in real time, control irrigation remotely, and reduce the need for constant trips into the fields.

It will also help move large amounts of research data faster, including information from weather stations and other field equipment.

At the Ag Center, workers are already testing new technology, including farm trucks that act as mobile Wi-Fi hotspots. This lets crews stay connected and upload data while working in remote areas.

Drones and smart sensors are also being used to track crop health and pest activity.

Officials say the full network is expected to be finished by August 2026.

They say the goal is to make farming more efficient, save water, and improve production in the desert Southwest.