Smart Irrigation Market by Application (Agricultural, Non-Agricultural), Component (Controller, Sensor, Water Flow Meter), System (Weather Based Controller System, Sensor Based Controller System) – Global Industry Revenue Estimation and Demand Forecast to 2030

Market Overview

The global smart irrigation market revenue stood at $1,404.4 million in 2021, and it is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 13.8% between 2021 and 2030. This is ascribed to the increased R&D activities and the rise in the adoption of energy-efficient smart irrigation systems. In addition, extreme weather conditions are common in countries across the world. Irrigation systems in such areas must be extremely efficient, thereby driving the demand for these systems.

Moreover, the surge in deployment of remote sensing technologies, primarily in APAC countries such as India, China, South Korea, and Australia, and the integration of IoT devices with smartphones are driving the market growth. For instance, Australia has been intentionally chosen to be the first country to deploy the Manna Irrigation Intelligence solution, a revolutionary sensor-free software system designed to help producers make smarter irrigation decisions.

Demand for Sensor-Based Controller Systems To Witness Robust Growth

The market for sensor-based controller systems is expected to witness robust growth over the forecast period, based on system. This can be due to the surging use of sensor-based irrigation systems in agriculture to save water and boost crop productivity. These systems can analyze and control exact data from numerous sensors deployed on a field, such as temperature, soil moisture, rain, and humidity sensors. Furthermore, sensor-based controller systems are widely preferred, as they do not rely on weather predictions or weather station data.

The controller category is the largest revenue generator in the smart irrigation market, based on component, accounting for $562.9 million in 2021, which is projected to grow at a CAGR of around 12.5% during 2021–2030. Smart irrigation controllers are in great demand, due to the efficiency they offer to irrigation operations and they are easily linked to cloud solutions. Furthermore, rapid growth in the global population, food and water shortages, increased farmer knowledge of the advantages of smart irrigation, government promotion and investment, low irrigation cost, and high productivity are also driving the demand for smart irrigation controllers.

Rapid Advancements in 5G Network and Communication Technologies Offer Several Opportunities

Continuous advancements in communication technologies allow farmers and residential users to remotely access their irrigation systems. Wireless data transmission technologies are replacing traditional hardwire systems, as advanced wireless sensors provide mobility, convenience, and other benefits. Irrigation systems use radio frequency technologies to communicate with wireless signal transmission networks. Thus, technological advancements improve interoperability between the control center and the equipment, increasing the overall efficiency of the systems.

Moreover, the use of 5G in the agriculture sector has the potential to improve the whole value chain, from precision farming to smart irrigation; and advance soil and crop monitoring and animal management. Thus, farmers can carry out more efficient and effective irrigation with the usage of 5G technology. They can utilize soil probes that are buried under the soil and could be connected easily via 5G-connectivity. Further, these devices have the capability to capture the data, such as soil patterns, moisture content, and salinity, which, in turn, provide insights to farmers related to the health of their crops. Therefore, these factors offer several opportunities to players in the smart irrigation market.

Advanced Features of Systems Spur the Market Growth

Smart irrigation systems are widely employed in agriculture fields, golf courses, sports grounds, and residential areas. IoT-enabled smart irrigation systems aid in water level detection by automatically irrigating crops and others based on the moisture level in the soil, as well as keeping track of the land condition. Moreover, the rising need for IoT and cloud technologies in this field is attributable to the increasing demand for smart irrigation solutions, which promotes the market growth.

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Non-Agricultural Application Is Largest Revenue Generator in the Market

The non-agricultural category accounted for the largest market share in 2021 and is expected to retain its position in the coming years as well. The increased relevance of effective watering methods and irrigation systems for non-agricultural applications such as residential, turf & landscaping, and golf courses, is a major driver of the market expansion in this category.

It is also because the development of smart cities is a growing trend in many regions of the world. Water management systems are gaining popularity in both commercial and residential settings in smart cities. Due to urbanization, green cover areas reduce to make space for concrete infrastructure. It is critical to preserve the green balance, which is why the smart irrigation concept is being used. Thus, the use of smart irrigation systems is predicted to increase in smart cities in the coming years, thereby driving the market growth.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a minimum impact on the agricultural industry. The increased awareness among farmers to use technologies and sensors, such as rain, climate, soil moisture, temperature, and fertigation, for farming operations can lead to the automation of several field operations.

North America Leads the Market

In 2021, the North American smart irrigation market accounted for the largest share, of around 36.1%. This is ascribed to the steady rise in disposable income, growth in urbanization, rise in adoption of IoT-based irrigation methods in countries such as the U.S. and Canada, surge in penetration of smartphones and other devices for remotely accessing field data, and increased investment in the regional ag-tech industry.

Furthermore, with the advent of new agricultural technologies and gadgets, governments are taking steps to educate and teach people about the proper use of smart irrigation systems. Also, these systems are being used to irrigate fields and grounds in the region, with golf course operators using smart irrigation technology to cut their water use. Therefore, the aforementioned reasons are helping the regional market growth.

To Increase Market Share, Companies Involved in Several Strategic Developments

The smart irrigation market has the presence of several key players, and in recent years, they have been involved in product launches, collaborations, and acquisitions, in order to stay ahead of their competitors. For instance:

• In April 2022, Viridix introduced a next-generation precision irrigation system with AI-based autonomous capabilities.
• In May 2021, The Toro Company (US) acquired Left Hand Robotics Inc. The acquisition assists the company’s strategy of leadership in next-generation technologies, including automation, smart connectivity, and alternative power.
• In March 2020, Netafim (Israel) and FluroSat (Australia) came into a partnership to incorporate FluroSat's remote sensing technology into Netbeat, Netafim's digital irrigation management platform.

Top Manufacturers of Smart Irrigation Systems Are:

• Rain Bird Corporation
• The Toro Company
• Hunter Industries
• Manna Irrigation
• Stevens Water Monitoring Systems
• Delta-T Devices
• Rain Machine
• Valley Irrigation
• Orbit Irrigation Products

Market Size Breakdown by Segment

The report offers comprehensive market segmentation analysis along with market estimation for the period 2017–2030.

Based on Application

• Agricultural
  • Open field
  • Plant factory
• Non-Agricultural
  • Residential
  • Golf Course and Sports Ground
  • Turf and Landscape

Based on Component

• Controller
• Sensor
  • Soil Sensor
  • Water Sensor
  • Climate Sensor
• Water Flow Meter

Based on System

• Weather based Controller System
• Sensor based Controller System

Geographical Analysis

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • U.K.
  • Italy
  • Spain
• Asia-Pacific (APAC)
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • Australia
  • South Korea
• Latin America (LATAM)
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
• Middle East and Africa (MEA)
  • Israel