H.R. 9686: Fostering Agricultural Research and Modernization through Artificial Intelligence Act of 2026

This bill would direct the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to do more to help farmers, ranchers, rural communities, and agricultural researchers use artificial intelligence (AI) and related digital tools.

What the bill changes

• It states that Congress believes AI could help improve farm productivity, decision-making, precision agriculture, resource use, cybersecurity, weather monitoring, and opportunities for smaller farms.
• It encourages USDA to expand AI access through its programs, outreach, and training efforts, and to work with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

Research and grant programs

The bill would add AI-related work as a priority in several USDA research and education programs. In practice, that means USDA grants and extension programs could more explicitly support projects involving:

• AI research, development, and implementation for precision agriculture and farm management;
• crop production, resource management, cybersecurity, and weather monitoring;
• workforce development and technical training on computing systems, AI, precision agriculture, and machine maintenance;
• AI tools and systems for farmers, ranchers, and agricultural research and education.

New USDA role

The bill would create an “Artificial Intelligence Agriculture Advisor” within USDA. A senior official from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture would be designated for this role.

This advisor would be responsible for helping promote the use of AI and digital agriculture technologies in every state. Duties would include:

• technical assistance and outreach;
• training and education for workers and producers;
• support for precision agriculture tools and data-driven farm management;
• helping small farm enterprises use AI;
• coordinating USDA programs and partnerships related to AI;
• working with NIST and other federal agencies to develop national AI standards for agriculture.

Extension and education

The bill would also update USDA cooperative extension and agricultural education programs so they can include AI systems, data-driven management tools, and outreach to producers and rural communities about how to use them.

Overall effect

In simple terms, the bill would make AI a clearer priority in USDA research, training, outreach, and coordination efforts, with the goal of helping agriculture adopt AI tools more widely and responsibly.

Relevant Companies

• DE — Deere & Co.: could benefit if demand increases for precision agriculture equipment, software, and AI-enabled farm machinery.
• CNH — CNH Industrial N.V.: could see demand related to smart farming and AI-enabled agricultural equipment.
• AGCO — AGCO Corp.: could be affected through increased use of precision agriculture technologies and connected farm systems.
• CTSH — Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp.: could be indirectly involved through digital transformation, AI systems, and data management services in agriculture.