Internet connections and access to information of agricultural and horticultural enterprises

Advisory and producer organisations are the most important source of information for agricultural and horticultural enterprises: 37% of all farms state that they are the most important source of information. The organisations are deemed the most important source by dairy cattle farms, beef producers and farms practicing other types of cattle breeding. Trade journals and websites are the most important source of information for 32% of all farms and the most important source for grain cultivation farms.
Other farmers and other entrepreneurs in the industry are the most important source of information for 15% of all farms, mostly for those focusing on dairy cattle and outdoor vegetable production. Poultry, vegetable production and pig farms considered other enterprises the most important source of information. In these production areas, the enterprise that buys the produce has a key role in the definition and development of production methods.
Farms required the most new information about production methods and technology: 41% of the farmers deemed this the most important alternative.
More than half (56%) of all agricultural and horticultural enterprises use a landline internet connection at their farm. Around three in every four farms (76%) use a mobile connection.
Almost 80% of all farms have access to a sufficiently fast and reliable internet connection. 16% of farmers are forced to use the internet with an insufficient connection. More than a quarter of all farms in South Savonia and Central Finland are forced to use an insufficient connection. The number of farms using a landline connection and the number of farms using an insufficient mobile connection are the smallest in these areas.
7% of all farms do not use the internet at all when managing their farm. Most of the farmers that do not use internet at all cultivate grain or other plants.