The pests pose a significant threat to crop production, with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimating that up to 40% of global crop production is lost annually due to pests. Furthermore, plant diseases alone cost the global economy over $220 billion each year, and invasive insects cause at least $70 billion in damages. The consequences of pest-induced food losses extend to crop quantity, quality, and financial returns. As a result, there is a growing focus on early detection methods in plant pathology to effectively minimize the risk of disease spread and the introduction of new pathogens. The increasing need for effective control of crop damages and diseases has led to rising demand for advanced smart crop scouting and spraying technologies such as variable rate technology (VRT), sensors, and AI-based spraying systems.
The global smart crop scouting and smart spraying market was valued at $3,47 billion in 2022, which is expected to grow with a CAGR of 18.78% and reach $9.86 billion by 2028. This growth is being driven by various factors, including the increasing demand for food due to a rising population and changing dietary habits, as well as the need to improve agricultural efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
Smart crop scouting and smart spraying aid farmers in controlling variability in their fields by allowing them to target specific sections based on the demands of the specific location of the field. When compared to conventional agricultural methods, which enables more exact targeting of the right quantity of spraying (fertilizer and crop protection chemicals) operation at the right time and location, allowing farmers to save money by maximizing the use of their inputs.
Smart crop scouting and smart spraying are expected to generate significant revenue for the global market. The use of smart crop scouting can help farmers detect and manage crop stress, diseases, and pests, as well as optimize nutrient application. This can lead to increased crop yields, reducing losses due to pests and diseases, and improving overall profitability for farmers. Smart spraying can also reduce the use of chemicals and improve nutrient application efficiency. As a result, the adoption of smart crop scouting and smart spraying technologies is expected to drive the growth of the global market, creating new opportunities for precision agriculture equipment manufacturers and service providers.
Smart crop scouting utilizes two main product types, namely, equipment scouting, including robots, drones, and others, and software scouting, including GIS software, remote sensing software, and crop management software.
The software scouting segment is also expected to grow with a CAGR of around 20% over the forecast period, owing to the increasing use of software solutions for crop management and decision-making. For instance, GIS software can be used for mapping and analyzing soil data, while remote sensing software can be used for detecting changes in crop health and growth. Crop management software can be used for monitoring and optimizing crop growth, helping farmers to make data-driven decisions and increase yields. The increasing availability of cloud-based software solutions is also driving market growth, as it allows farmers to access data and make decisions from anywhere.
North America generated the highest revenue, $1.24 billion in 2022, for the smart crop scouting and smart spraying market, and it is expected to continue leading the market throughout the forecast period. The demand for smart agriculture technology in the region is driven by factors such as the need to increase agricultural productivity, labor shortage, and the growing focus on sustainable agriculture. The increasing adoption of precision agriculture techniques, government initiatives supporting smart farming, and the presence of key market players are also contributing to the growth of the market in the region.
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The global smart crop scouting and smart spraying market is a highly competitive and fragmented industry, with many players vying for market share. The market is characterized by the presence of agricultural companies, technology-based firms, and startups. The major players in the market include BASF SE (xarvio), Semios, CropIn, Climate LLC, FarmLogs, Granular, Deere & Company, AGCO Corporation, Trimble, Farmshots, Telus Agriculture, Agrodrones Solutions, Taranis, Greeneye Technology, WEED-IT, Precision AI, Hardi, Agrifac, Ecorobotix SA, and BA Pumps and Sprayers.
Smart crop scouting and smart spraying technologies are becoming increasingly important in reducing food wastage and improving crop quality. These technologies provide farmers with comprehensive data analysis of crop growth and health, allowing them to make informed decisions regarding crop protection and spraying. Smart scouting and spraying also include wireless assessment of soil and real-time prediction of perishable agricultural produce, enabling stakeholders to achieve timely decisions in the supply chain. As more farmers become aware of the benefits of these technologies over conventional farming methods, the market for smart crop scouting and smart spraying is expected to grow in the coming years.
