Ag Data Science
Paving the Way for Agriculture
Our specialty is collecting and interpreting diverse data for the agriculture sector.
The Triangle Region is one of the most prominent high-tech research and development regions in the U.S. and sustains a vibrant agriculture-focused business ecosystem.
There’s no question that the state of North Carolina has one of the most diversified agriculture economies in the U.S.
Ag Data Science is an essential arm of the AgTech industry, and advancements in understanding digitized agriculture happen rapidly. The frontier of leveraging analytics to monitor and predict changes in crops, animal health, consumer behavior, and the supply chain is here in the Research Triangle Region.
Our Regional Reputation
Legacy Companies
A key reason the Triangle region is a frontrunner in Ag Data Science is the quality and quantity of legacy companies. SAS is a global data management software company in the Triangle region. SAS has worked with agriculture companies for decades and recently launched an ag-tech-focused business unit to create a healthier world for animals, plants, and people. SAS has more data scientists than any other company and commits 26% of revenue to research and development.
Foundational Education Institutions
A strategic advantage for ag-focused companies is proximity to educational institutions like North Carolina State University, Duke University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The universities advance Ag Data Science in various ways while prioritizing partnerships between other educational institutions and industry leaders. Additionally, internships are mainly required before graduation, giving students an early look at joining the workforce.
Excellence in Agriculture
North Carolina State University (NC State) has established dominance in developing agriculture technology. A key driver of NC State’s excellence in agriculture is the NC Plant Sciences Initiative (PSI.) This program is built around five key platforms: plant improvement, resilient agriculture systems, data science and education, workforce development, and outreach and extension. The goal of PSI is to conduct research at NC State in a translational way to impact stakeholders. Additionally, the inaugural partners of PSI industry stakeholders are Syngenta, SAS, BASF, and Novozymes.
Diverse Knowledge
A differentiator for the Triangle region is talent with diverse backgrounds and knowledge. Many cities have a solid network of universities, but the Triangle region is known for its brainpower. At NC State, the Plant Sciences Initiative focuses on workforce development, talent acquisition, and retention. Students receive real-time experience with data application, participate in integrated research projects, and are encouraged to cross-train. All of this creates a diverse pipeline of talent. On average, 42k graduates in the Triangle region enter the workforce each year with a bachelor's degree or higher.
“At SAS, we collaborate with leaders across the agricultural industry to help them leverage their data in a way that empowers business decisions. Our world-class analytics, coupled with deep agricultural domain expertise, enables us to partner with clients to solve critical business challenges across the value chain – from R&D excellence to operational effectiveness to enhanced customer intelligence."
- Robin Costello, Strategic Partnerships and Accelerator Program Director, SAS Commercial Practice, Americas