Crop Monitoring Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Offering (Hardware, Software, Services), By Technology (Sensing & Imagery, Variable Rate Technology, Automation & Robotics), By Farm Type (Small, Medium, Large), By Application (Field Mapping, Crop Scouting & Monitoring, Soil Monitoring, Yield Mapping & Monitoring, Others), By Region and Competition, 2020-2030F

Global Crop Monitoring Market was valued at USD 3.51 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 7.87 billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 14.40% during the forecast period. Crop Monitoring is increasingly indispensable for optimizing the utilization of geospatial technologies and site-specific crop management practices. Remote sensing technology serves as a valuable tool for gathering information on crop conditions, acreage, and production forecasting, facilitating policy decisions related to food security across various nations. Although remote sensing applications are still in the experimental stage, they exhibit an accuracy level for crop acreage forecasts ranging from 70-90 percent, which varies depending on the crop type and its distribution on the terrain.

Key technologies driving the crop monitoring market include Internet of Things (IoT) devices, remote sensing technologies (such as satellite imagery and drones), and artificial intelligence (AI). These tools help farmers monitor their fields with precision, offering insights that can lead to improved crop management, efficient irrigation, optimized fertilization, and better pest control. The integration of AI and machine learning also allows for predictive analytics, enabling farmers to anticipate potential issues before they become critical, leading to better crop management and higher yields.

Key Market Drivers

Advancements in Technology Such as Machine Learning & AI

Advancements in technology, notably Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), are anticipated to significantly boost the global demand for crop monitoring. These innovative technologies enable real-time tracking, predictive analytics, and nuanced data interpretation, thereby revolutionizing agricultural practices. ML and AI can analyze vast amounts of data from various sources such as drones, satellites, and IoT devices, facilitating precise crop monitoring. By identifying patterns in the data, they can predict weather conditions, identify disease outbreaks, and suggest appropriate interventions, ultimately optimizing crop yield and quality. In addition, these technologies can provide detailed soil analysis, recommending personalized crop treatment strategies based on individual field characteristics. Such precision farming methods, enabled by ML and AI, are expected to reduce resource wastage, increase cost-effectiveness, and promote sustainable agricultural practices. Hence, as the world grapples with the challenges of food security and environmental sustainability, the role of ML and AI in agriculture becomes increasingly pivotal. Their ability to transform data into actionable insights is expected to drive a surge in global demand for their application in crop monitoring.

Increasing Use of Drone Technology for Crop Monitoring

The increasing utilization of drone technology for crop monitoring is poised to significantly boost the global demand for crop monitoring. Drone technology, or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), offer unparalleled benefits in agricultural practices, as they can execute precise and efficient monitoring of large agricultural expanses. Through the use of advanced sensors and digital imaging capabilities, drones can capture detailed and insightful data about crop growth, soil health, and any potential issues such as disease or pest infestation. This detailed data enables farmers to make timely interventions, optimize crop yields, and minimize losses. Furthermore, drones achieve this with significantly reduced labor and time compared to traditional monitoring methods, making them a cost-effective solution. As the agricultural sector continues to embrace digitalization and precision farming practices, the use of drones for crop monitoring is expected to become commonplace. This, in turn, is anticipated to spur global demand for crop monitoring services. The integration of drone technology in crop monitoring is not just a revolutionizing prospect, but an imminent necessity in the face of increasing global food demand. Therefore, the future of crop monitoring worldwide looks promising, with drone technology playing a pivotal role. For example, in November 2021, XAG Co., Ltd. (China) introduced the V40 and P40 agricultural drones, specifically designed for rural areas with aging populations and limited infrastructure. These drones facilitate mapping, spraying, and broadcasting on farms, helping farmers enhance crop yields, reduce costs, and monitor field conditions. Additionally, they enable the detection of weeds, insects, and other soil factors, improving overall farm management and efficiency.

Adoption of Advanced Agricultural Equipment & Software

Crop monitoring, an essential aspect of precision agriculture, depends heavily on the adoption of advanced agricultural equipment and software. These tools offer farmers the ability to meticulously track, analyze, and manage crop growth - leading to higher yields and sustainable farming practices. As the global population continues to rise, demand for food production increases, amplifying the need for efficient and effective crop monitoring systems.

Advanced agricultural equipment like drones, sensors, and satellites collect high-resolution data about soil composition, crop health, and weather patterns. This data, when processed through sophisticated analytic software, provides actionable insights for farmers. For instance, they can identify diseased or underperforming crops early, make informed decisions about irrigation and fertilization, and predict yields with higher accuracy. In August 2022, India’s Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare introduced several initiatives, including the National e-Governance Plan in Agriculture (NeGP-A), which allocates funds to promote modern technologies such as IoT, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), robotics, drones, data analytics, and blockchain. These efforts aim to advance digital agriculture across the country. Such government initiatives are accelerating the adoption of IoT among farmers, thereby driving growth in the crop monitoring market.

The profound impact of these technologies on crop yield and quality, coupled with their decreasing costs, are key drivers for their widespread adoption. As such, the demand for crop monitoring is expected to surge globally. Moreover, growing awareness about the role of technology in sustainable farming and support from government initiatives are further fueling this adoption. In emerging economies, where agriculture plays a significant part in the GDP, the potential for growth is even more significant. As these countries strive to modernize their agricultural practices and improve food security, the demand for advanced crop monitoring technologies is set to climb. Thus, the global trend towards advanced agricultural technology adoption foretells a positive trajectory for the demand in crop monitoring.

Growth of the IoT in Agriculture

The proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies in agriculture is expected to significantly elevate the global demand for crop monitoring. IoT, with its network of physical devices and sensors, aids in gathering real-time data about various crop parameters, thereby facilitating informed decision-making on crop health, harvesting time, and yield predictions. Given the climate uncertainties and the increasing need to optimize yield, advanced crop monitoring systems are becoming a necessity. Furthermore, precision agriculture, a farming management concept based on observing and responding to intra-field variations, is rapidly gaining traction. It relies heavily on IoT and crop monitoring technologies for its successful implementation, further driving the demand. Notably, crop monitoring systems can help in the efficient utilization of resources such as water and pesticides, contributing to sustainable agriculture practices in the longer run. The increasing global population and the subsequent surge in food demand will necessitate the adoption of such smart farming techniques, leading to an anticipated upswing in crop monitoring systems' demand globally. The integration of IoT in agriculture is truly a game-changer, set to redefine traditional farming practices and create a more productive and sustainable agricultural landscape.

Download Free Sample Report

Key Market Challenges

Lack of Highly Skilled Workers to Operate Digital Tools

The global demand for crop monitoring, though potentially transformative in the field of agriculture, is expected to face a decline due to the glaring lack of highly skilled workers capable of operating advanced digital tools. Technological advancements in crop monitoring have undoubtedly revolutionized farming practices, but the shortage of skilled labor is creating a bottleneck in the adoption and effective use of this technology. Crop monitoring involves intricate tasks such as interpreting data from satellite imagery, handling drones for field scouting, and managing complex software systems for crop health assessment. These tasks require a specialized skill set that is currently scarce in the labor market, which could hamper the global demand for crop monitoring. Furthermore, the cost and time associated with training workers to acquire these skills are significant, which only exacerbates the problem. Hence, until the gap between the complexity of digital tools and the skill set of the labor force is bridged, the global demand for crop monitoring is anticipated to witness a downward trend.

High Capital Cost

High capital cost is a significant barrier to the global adoption of crop monitoring technology. For many farmers, particularly those in developing countries, the initial investment required for sophisticated monitoring systems is simply too steep. These sophisticated systems, which often include drones, satellite imaging, and advanced AI software, have the potential to revolutionize farming by providing real-time data about crop health and environmental conditions. However, their high cost makes them inaccessible to the average farmer. As a result, the demand for these systems is expected to diminish, especially in regions where farmers operate on tight margins and lack access to credit facilities. Additionally, the cost of maintaining and updating these technologies could further exacerbate the financial burden, discouraging even more potential users. While technological advancements typically lead to reductions in cost over time, this decrease is unlikely to be significant enough in the near future to counterbalance the high upfront costs. In conclusion, the high capital cost of crop monitoring technology is a significant hurdle, potentially hindering global demand.

Key Market Trends

Integration of Smartphones with Agricultural Hardware & Software Applications

The integration of smartphones with agricultural hardware and software applications is projected to skyrocket the demand for crop monitoring globally. Smartphones, as accessible, multi-functional tools, are becoming increasingly intertwined with agriculture, offering the ability to control high-tech hardware and interact with sophisticated software applications. This advancement heralds a new era in precision agriculture. Through apps and hardware integrations, farmers can now monitor crop health, track weather patterns, and manage pests directly from their handheld device, making real-time decisions that enhance crop productivity and reduce waste. The ubiquity and ease-of-use of smartphones make them an ideal platform for widespread adoption of these technologies. In developing countries, where large-scale, costly monitoring systems are out of reach for many farmers, this could revolutionize agricultural practices, leading to increased yields and sustainability. Moreover, the leveraging of smartphone technology facilitates the collection and analysis of big data, driving forward the research and implementation of best agricultural practices on a global scale. Thus, the convergence of smartphones with agricultural hardware and software is poised to dramatically escalate the uptake of crop monitoring worldwide.

Increase in Agricultural R&D Activities by Major Companies

The global demand for crop monitoring is expected to rise significantly, a trend primarily driven by increased agricultural R&D activities being undertaken by major companies. Technological advancements have led to the development of sophisticated techniques and tools that are revolutionising the agricultural sector. Companies are strategically investing in R&D to discover innovative ways to enhance crop monitoring processes through the application of advanced technologies such as drones, machine learning algorithms, and satellite imaging. These technologies enable accurate tracking of crop growth, early identification of plant diseases, and prediction of yield, thereby optimising the farming process and increasing productivity. Furthermore, they provide real-time insights about the crops' nutritional needs, helping farmers to tailor their fertiliser use, which not only reduces costs but also lessens environmental impact. The increase in R&D activities reflects the growing recognition of technology's role in addressing food security challenges presented by the rapidly growing global population. As these companies continue to innovate, the demand for crop monitoring on a global scale is predicted to rise as it offers a viable solution to enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability.

Segmental Insights

Technology Insights

Based on the Technology, the Sensing & Imagery segment is projected to make a significant contribution to the market growth. The increasing adoption of remote sensing technology by farmers has empowered them to remotely monitor their farms, resulting in widespread adoption across the agricultural industry. By utilizing remote sensing, farmers are not only able to determine the precise amount of soil moisture but also gain valuable insights into various other factors that influence successful crop cultivation. One such critical application of remote sensing is soil mapping, which provides farmers with invaluable information about soil composition, fertility, and potential nutrient deficiencies. Armed with these detailed insights, farmers can make informed decisions regarding crop selection, irrigation, and fertilization, ultimately optimizing their agricultural practices for higher productivity and sustainability. 

Download Free Sample Report

Regional Insights

North America takes the lead with its advanced agricultural practices and widespread adoption of technology in farming operations. The region's success can be attributed to the implementation of supportive government policies that actively promote the use of precision farming techniques. These policies include funding research and development in agricultural technology, providing subsidies for farmers to adopt advanced monitoring systems, and encouraging collaboration between farmers and technology providers. By leveraging cutting-edge tools such as satellite imagery, drones, and IoT sensors, North American farmers are able to gather real-time data on soil moisture levels, crop health, and pest infestations. This data-driven approach enables them to make informed decisions regarding irrigation, fertilization, and pest management, ultimately optimizing crop production and minimizing environmental impact.

Furthermore, North America's focus on sustainable and efficient agricultural practices extends beyond individual farms. The region has established robust networks and platforms for data sharing and collaboration, allowing farmers to learn from each other and share best practices. This collaborative mindset has led to the development of innovative solutions and the continuous improvement of farming techniques. With its commitment to precision farming, data-driven decision-making, and sustainable practices, North America continues to pave the way for the future of agriculture on a global scale. The region serves as a role model for other countries, inspiring them to embrace technological advancements and adopt practices that promote both productivity and environmental stewardship.

Europe is experiencing significant growth in the Crop Monitoring Market, driven by advancements in precision agriculture, increased adoption of smart farming technologies, and growing concerns about sustainable agricultural practices. The integration of IoT, remote sensing, and AI-driven analytics has enhanced farmers' ability to monitor crop health, optimize resource use, and improve yields. Additionally, government initiatives supporting digital agriculture and the rising demand for food security further contribute to the expansion of the market across the region. For example, in February 2025, the U.K. government permitted Victorian farmers to apply for On-Farm Internet of Things (IoT) Trial state government grants to invest in IoT technology. This initiative aimed to support farmers in enhancing the productivity, competitiveness, and sustainability of Victoria's agriculture sector.

Recent Developments

• In February 2024, CropX Technologies, a global provider of digital agriculture solutions, unveiled a new product developed in collaboration with Reinke Irrigation to improve water management for farmers by providing precise, field-specific Evapotranspiration (ET) measurements of crop water usage. The Reinke Irrigation Direct ET by CropX is an innovative solution that offers cost-effective Actual Evapotranspiration (ET) data through a sensor integrated into Reinke’s center pivot irrigation systems, available exclusively through Reinke Irrigation.
• In July 2024, Cropin Technology Solutions Private Limited, a provider of cloud-based agricultural solutions, introduced a real-time agri-intelligence tool called Sage. Powered by Google Gemini, this solution transforms agricultural landscapes into grid-based maps with options of 5x5 km, 3x3 meters, and 10x10 meters for detailed analysis.
• In April 2023, Bosch BASF Smart Farming GmbH and AGCO Corporation announced a joint venture aimed at integrating smart spraying technology with Fendt Rogator sprayers. This advanced spraying solution combines Bosch BASF's weed identification technology, automated sensitivity thresholds, and precision-targeted spraying for more effective crop management.
• In December 2021, Mahindra & Mahindra Limited's Farm Equipment division launched its 'Farming as a Service' (FaaS) business in Karnataka. This initiative involves the establishment of Krish-e centres, which provide agronomy advisory, access to advanced farm equipment rentals, precision farming solutions, and digitisation enablement.
• In January 2020, US-based soil sensing and data analytics startup Cropx acquired CropMetrics for an undisclosed amount. By integrating CropMetrics' technologies, extensive dealer network, and knowledgeable support team, CropX aims to establish itself as a leader in in-soil IoT solutions. Precision agricultural irrigation management is among the advanced agronomic solutions offered by Cropmetrics LLC.
• In April 2019, Yara International, a global leader in crop nutrition, and IBM announced a collaboration to develop the world's premier digital farming platform. This platform offers comprehensive digital services and immediate agronomic advice, aiming to revolutionize the farming industry.

Key Market Players

• Trimble Inc.
• Topcon Corporation
• Yara International ASA
• The Climate Corporation
• CropX Technologies Ltd.
• Deere & Company
• Syngenta Group
• Precision Hawk, Inc.
• Ag Leader Technology Inc.
• AAA Taranis Visual Ltd.

In this report, the Global Crop Monitoring Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Crop Monitoring Market, By Offering:

o   Hardware

o   Software

o   Services

• Crop Monitoring Market, By Technology:

o   Sensing & Imagery

o   Variable Rate Technology

o   Automation & Robotics

• Crop Monitoring Market, By Farm Type:

o   Small

o   Medium

o   Large

• Crop Monitoring Market, By Application:

o   Field Mapping

o   Crop Scouting & Monitoring

o   Soil Monitoring

o   Yield Mapping & Monitoring

o   Others

• Crop Monitoring Market, By Region:

o   North America

§  United States

§  Canada

§  Mexico

o   Europe

§  France

§  United Kingdom

§  Italy

§  Germany

§  Spain

o   Asia-Pacific

§  China

§  India

§  Japan

§  Australia

§  South Korea

o   South America

§  Brazil

§  Argentina

§  Colombia

o   Middle East & Africa

§  South Africa

§  Saudi Arabia

§  UAE

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Crop Monitoring Market.

Available Customizations:

Global Crop Monitoring market report with the given market data, TechSci Research offers customizations according to a company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

Company Information

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

Global Crop Monitoring Market is an upcoming report to be released soon. If you wish an early delivery of this report or want to confirm the date of release, please contact us at [email protected]