The irrigation automation market is expected to reach USD 7.9 billion by 2026, with a CAGR of 22% from 2020 to 2026. Increased mechanization and use of smart technology for agricultural activities, government measures to promote water conservation, and growing farmer awareness of the benefits of irrigation automation are some of the factors driving the market's growth. Key players used new products, services, and technology launches, as well as collaboration, to capitalize on the strong market potential.
To design an automated irrigation system for both agricultural and non-agricultural uses, hardware components such as controllers, sensors, sprinklers, valves, and others are used. These automated systems allow the operator to adapt the irrigation process based on real-time data, volume, time, and computer-based technologies that assist in watering control. In addition, irrigation automation systems are typically employed in a large region that is separated into small parts known as irrigation blocks. Following that, these portions are watered to match the discharge available from the water source.
Market Drivers
With the assistance of many country governments encouraging water and energy conservation, as well as the increased demand for food due to the world's ever-increasing population, the irrigation automation industry is booming. The emergence of a water shortage, combined with unpredictable rainfall patterns, is obstructing the use of traditional agricultural irrigation procedures, driving the adoption of modern irrigation techniques for crops around the world. Furthermore, the use of irrigation automation systems is boosted by the integration of modern technologies such as soil moisture-based and weather-based water management approaches.
Due to the shortage of freshwater resources in dry and urban areas, as well as advancement in greenhouse projects, effective irrigation techniques based on sensors assisting spraying and dripping irrigation automation systems are becoming increasingly important. As a result, the worldwide irrigation automation market is fast expanding and is predicted to increase at an exponential rate over the forecast period. Furthermore, golf courses, residential plantations, and urban landscaping want convenient and consistent water delivery solutions that do not require manual intervention, which is driving the irrigation automation market forward.
Market Restraints
Over the forecast period, the high cost of the Irrigation Automation Market is likely to serve as a limitation on the worldwide Irrigation Automation Market's growth. Furthermore, sales of autonomous irrigation systems in undeveloped and developing nations are hampered by a lack of understanding among farmers.
Market Segmentation:
The time-based automation type segment led the market in 2020, accounting for over 30% of global sales. The high percentage is attributed to benefits such as complete control over the irrigation process, fewer labour expenses, and decreased fuel usage, to name a few. The user may control, intervene, and monitor crops at different irrigation stages at regular intervals using the time-based automation system. As a result, harvest productivity is better served by a time-based strategy.
With a CAGR of around 18 per cent over the forecast period, the real-time based automation type industry is likely to be the fastest-growing category. The demand for real-time temperature, rain, and meteorological data acquired by tensiometers and sensors has increased. The required watering levels are calculated using these automated tensiometers in conjunction with plant evapotranspiration devices. Furthermore, because they consume less water, real-time based automation systems are more environmentally friendly than time-based systems. As a result, the aforementioned factors are anticipated to increase segment growth throughout the forecast period.
The controller segment dominated the market in 2019, accounting for over 30% of worldwide revenue. The segment's substantial market share is owing to increased demand for semi-automatic systems, such as volume-based and time-based systems, which has increased controller demand across the board. Controllers help to ensure that the required volume of water is delivered on time and according to a predetermined schedule. Furthermore, controllers supervise the entire irrigation process, which is directed by sensors that collect real-time data on the weather, soil, and plant, all of which affect the irrigation process.
The sensors segment is expected to develop at the quickest rate between 2021 and 2026, with a CAGR of nearly 18%. Sensors are used to calculate real-time soil moisture levels and irrigation needs. Irrigators can acquire real-time data via a smartphone app or a web-based interface thanks to sensors that improve connectivity. Furthermore, thanks to precise soil moisture temperature and measurement forecast solutions via sensors, dripping systems and sprinklers can operate simultaneously with automated technology, resulting in higher productivity with a limited manual crew.
The drip irrigation category dominated the irrigation automation market in 2020, accounting for more than 35% of global sales. The sector is likely to maintain its dominance over the projection period due to the system's almost ten-year life cycle. As a result, it's a long-lasting, high-efficiency irrigation system that produces more consistent harvests. Drip irrigation systems help eliminate water waste in the field due to runoff and evaporation. Furthermore, the segment's growth is being fueled by reasons such as the ability to use less water and the lower cost of drip systems.
The sprinkler irrigation type sector is predicted to develop at a CAGR of more than 16 per cent from 2022 - 2027. Sprinklers help flow water across large distances, lowering water consumption. Sprinklers can also be used in conjunction with weather-based intelligent systems that adapt precisely to current weather conditions and are supported by smartphones, allowing the user complete control over the irrigation process. Furthermore, the safety, simplicity, and attractiveness of sprinkler irrigation systems are major factors driving increased demand across the board.
The non-agricultural application segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate between 2021 and 2026, with a CAGR of around 17.5 per cent. Golf courses, sports fields, pastures, gardens, houses, and turf and landscapes are all on the rise around the world. Irrigation automation technologies offer on-time watering with the required volume of water while minimising water costs in these non-agricultural applications. Additionally, golf course producers and owners can use automatic irrigation systems to change watering based on time or volume and control it remotely.
Agriculture was the most profitable application in 2020, accounting for more than 59 per cent of overall income. Agriculture is a significant occupation in a variety of settings. This factor is likely to contribute to the segment's expansion. Due to its standardised and low production costs, it is also cost-effective for customers in emerging Latin American and Asian Pacific markets. Automated irrigation saves both time and labour. As a result, this method is favoured by large farmers and agricultural parks all over the world.
Regional Analysis
The Asia Pacific region dominated the market in 2020, accounting for over 26% of total sales. Furthermore, the region is predicted to maintain its dominance over the projection period due to variables such as the presence of large agricultural lands, rapidly changing climatic conditions, strong government backing, a higher need to reduce water waste, and innovation in irrigation devices. People are also being forced to employ sensor-based irrigation systems as water levels in the region's river basins plummet.
The North American region is predicted to increase at a significant CAGR of around 16.7% from 2020 to 2027. The presence of large market players in the region is a key component in the region's development. Government measures focused at reducing water footprint are projected to boost market growth, especially in the US. Automated irrigation systems have tremendously assisted Israel's green revolution, therefore the Middle East and Africa region is also projected to witness major growth.
Key Players:
As a result of the current coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, irrigation automation manufacturers and sellers have faced a host of production obstacles, including plant closures, a lack of raw materials, and a scarcity of resources, to mention a few. COVID-19 has also wreaked havoc on supply chains across farm ecosystems as a result of its spread. The supply of hardware equipment has slowed, affecting industry participants across the irrigation automation value chain. Remote irrigation operations, on the other hand, have been less affected by the disease since there is less human involvement, and demand is expected to grow in the future years.
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