세계 토양 수분 센서 시장 규모는 2024년 2억 7,390만 달러에 달할 것으로 예측됩니다. 향후 IMARC Group은 2033년까지 시장이 7억 890만 달러에 달할 것으로 예상하며, 2025-2033년 11.1%의 연평균 성장률(CAGR)을 보일 것으로 전망하고 있습니다. 이 시장은 센서 기술의 발전, 정밀농업의 도입 확대, 물 절약에 대한 관심 증가, 고품질 작물에 대한 수요 증가, 기후 변화가 농업에 미치는 영향 증가 등을 배경으로 강력한 성장세를 보이고 있습니다.
정밀농업의 중요성 증대
정밀농업에 대한 관심이 높아지면서 토양 수분 센서 시장 성장의 주요 촉진요인으로 작용하고 있습니다. 정밀농업 산업은 연간 9.9%씩 성장하고 있으며, 2032년까지 202억 달러 규모에 달할 것으로 추정됩니다. 토양 수분 센서는 토양 수분량에 대한 정확하고 시기적절한 정보를 제공하므로 정밀농업에서 매우 중요합니다. 미국 농무부(USDA)와 국립과학재단(NSF)은 2017 회계연도부터 2021 회계연도까지 정밀농업 연구개발(R&D) 자금으로 약 2억 달러를 지원하여 2021년 토양수분센서 시장의 성장을 촉진할 것으로 예측됩니다. 정밀농업의 움직임은 세계 식량 수요 증가와 자원 보호에 대한 우려 속에서 농업 부문의 효율성과 생산성을 높여야 할 필요성에 의해 추진되고 있습니다. The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World(세계 식량안보와 영양 현황) 보고서에 따르면 2022년에는 6억 9,100만-7억 8,300만 명이 기아에 직면할 것이며, 2019년 대비 1억 2,200만 명이 증가할 것이라고 기록되어 있습니다. 이 보고서는 또한 24억 명이 중등도 또는 심각한 식량 불안에 직면해 있고 9억 명이 심각한 식량 불안에 직면해 있다고 밝혔습니다.
물 절약에 대한 의식의 향상
최근 토양 수분 센서 시장 동향에 따르면 전 세계에서 물 부족에 대한 우려가 커지고 물 절약에 대한 필요성이 급증하면서 효율적인 물 사용의 중요성에 대한 인식이 높아지고 있습니다. 유네스코가 발표한 보고서에 따르면 36억 명이 안전하게 관리되는 위생 시설을 이용할 수 없고, 20억 명이 안전한 식수를 얻지 못하고 있습니다. 토양 수분 센서는 관개가 식물 수요를 낭비 없이 충족할 수 있도록 최적화되어 물 절약에 크게 기여하고 있습니다. 또한 세계 각국의 정부와 환경단체는 물 절약을 위해 지속가능한 물 관리 실천을 추진하고 있습니다. 인도 정부는 마이크로 관개 시스템의 도입을 추진하고 있으며, 식물의 뿌리에 직접 물을 묻혀 낭비를 최소화하고 있습니다. Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana(PMKSY)는 1헥타르 이상의 토지에 마이크로 관개 기술을 보급하는 데 중점을 두고 있습니다. 물 이용 효율을 향상시키고, 작물 수확량을 증가시키며, 수자원을 크게 절약할 수 있습니다.
센서 기술의 급속한 발전
토양 수분 센서 시장의 최근 동향에 따르면 센서 기술의 급속한 기술 발전으로 인해 보다 정확하고 내구성이 뛰어나며 비용 효율적인 토양 수분 센서가 개발되고 있습니다. 저비용의 토양 수분 센서를 이용한 마이크로파 원격센싱과 무선 센서 네트워크의 도입으로 토양 수분 정보의 가용성이 크게 향상되었습니다. 또한 우주선 중성자 센서와 같은 새로운 토양 수분 모니터링 기술을 통해 밭에서 집수구역 규모까지 비침습적, 비접촉적으로 토양 수분 동태를 상시 측정할 수 있게 되었습니다. 이러한 개선으로 토양 수분 센서의 용도는 농업뿐만 아니라 조경, 스포츠 잔디 관리, 환경 모니터링까지 확대되어 토양 수분 센서 시장 점유율을 높이고 있습니다. 센서와 IoT(사물인터넷) 기술의 통합은 실시간 원격 모니터링과 데이터 분석을 가능하게 하여 그 유용성을 더욱 높이고 있습니다. 협대역 사물인터넷(NB-IoT) 통신기술의 발달로 토양수분의 실시간 측정이 강화되었습니다.
The global soil moisture sensors market size reached USD 273.9 Million in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 708.9 Million by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 11.1% during 2025-2033. The market is experiencing robust growth, driven by advancements in sensor technology, the increasing adoption of precision agriculture, a heightened focus on water conservation, the rising demand for high-quality crops, and the growing impact of climate change on agriculture
Growing Emphasis on Precision Agriculture
The heightened emphasis on precision agriculture is a key driver for the soil moisture sensors market growth. The precision agriculture industry is growing at a rate of 9.9% annually and is estimated to reach US$ 20.2 Billion by 2032. Soil moisture sensors are crucial in precision agriculture as they provide accurate and timely information about the moisture content of the soil. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) have provided almost $200 million for precision agriculture research and development (R&D) funding in fiscal years 2017 to 2021, boosting the growth of soil moisture sensor market in 2021. The move towards precision agriculture is driven by the need to increase efficiency and productivity in the agricultural sector amidst growing global food demand and concerns over resource conservation. The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report recorded that between 691 and 783 million people faced hunger in 2022, accounting for an increase of 122 million people compared to 2019. The report also highlighted that 2.4 billion people experienced moderate or severe food insecurity, and 900 million people faced severe food insecurity.
Increasing Awareness about Water Conservation
According to the soil moisture sensors market recent developments, the rising global concerns over water scarcity and the burgeoning need for conservation have led to a heightened awareness of the importance of efficient water use. According to the report published by UNESCO, 3.6 billion lack access to safely managed sanitation, and 2 bn people do not have safe drinking water. Soil moisture sensors contribute significantly to water conservation efforts by ensuring that irrigation is optimized to meet the plants' needs without wastage. Moreover, governments and environmental organizations worldwide are promoting the use of sustainable water management practices to conserve water. The Indian government has been promoting the adoption of micro-irrigation systems, allowing water to embed directly into the roots of plants to minimize wastage. The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) focuses on expanding micro-irrigation techniques to cover more than one crore hectare of land. It improves water use efficiency, boosts crop yield, and significantly conserves water resources.
Rapid Advancements in Sensor Technology
According to the soil moisture sensor market recent developments, rapid technological advancements in sensor technology have led to the creation of more accurate, durable, and cost-effective soil moisture sensors. The introduction of microwave remote sensing and wireless sensor networks that make use of low-cost soil moisture sensors have increased the availability of soil moisture information to a large degree. In addition, new soil-moisture-monitoring techniques, such as cosmic-ray neutron sensors, provide constant noninvasive and contactless measurements of soil moisture dynamics from the field to the catchment scale. These improvements have expanded the applications of soil moisture sensors beyond agriculture to landscaping, sports turf management, and environmental monitoring, boosting the soil moisture sensors market share. The integration of sensors with IoT (Internet of Things) technology has further enhanced their utility by enabling remote monitoring and data analysis in real time. The development of narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) communication technology has enhanced the real-time measurement of soil moisture.
Volumetric soil moisture sensors account for the majority of the market share
According to the soil moisture sensors market statistics, volumetric soil moisture sensors accounted for the largest market share as they are designed to measure the volume of water contained within a soil sample, providing data as a percentage of the soil's total volume. They utilize technologies such as time domain reflectometry (TDR), capacitance, and dielectric constant measurement to assess the water content. Moreover, volumetric soil moisture sensors are lauded for their accuracy and ease of use, boosting their application in agriculture, research studies, and environmental monitoring to assess soil health and water conservation practices.
According to the soil moisture sensors market trends, gypsum blocks operate on the principle that the electrical resistance of gypsum changes with moisture content. They are buried in the soil, and their resistance is measured to estimate the soil moisture level. Gypsum block sensors are cost-effective and durable, making them suitable for long-term moisture monitoring in agriculture and research.
Granular matrix sensors measure soil moisture by absorbing water from the soil and using a solid-state electrical resistance technique to determine moisture levels. They are known for their durability and the ability to provide consistent long-term data without being affected by soil salinity levels. Granular matrix sensors are useful in situations where minimal maintenance and long-term deployment are desired, such as in environmental monitoring and forestry applications.
As per the soil moisture sensors market outlook, tensiometers directly measure the soil water potential or tension, which indicates how hard plants must work to extract water from the soil. They consist of a water-filled tube sealed with a porous ceramic cup and a vacuum gauge on either end. Tensiometers are most effective in wet soils and are widely used in irrigation management to prevent over- or under-watering of crops.
Soil moisture probes are inserted in the soil to measure moisture at various depths. They utilize various technologies, including capacitance, to evaluate soil moisture based on its dielectric properties. The versatility and ease of installation of probes make them popular for agricultural and scientific applications, allowing for precise irrigation management and environmental monitoring.
Capacitance sensors are known to measure the dielectric permittivity of the soil, which changes with moisture content. They are lauded for their accuracy, rapid response time, and minimal soil disturbance. Capacitance sensors provide real-time, continuous data, making them ideal for precision agriculture applications to optimize irrigation schedules, conserve water, and improve crop yields.
TDT sensors, using time domain transmissiometry technology, are among the most advanced and precise methods for measuring soil moisture content. They send a pulse through the soil and measure the time it takes for the pulse to return. The speed of this pulse varies with the soil's moisture content. TDT sensors are highly accurate, can measure moisture across a range of soil types, and are less affected by soil salinity and temperature variations.
Wired holds the largest share of the industry
Wired soil moisture sensors dominated the market share due to their reliability, low maintenance requirements, and the ability to provide continuous, real-time data without the need for battery replacements. Moreover, rapid advancements in sensor technology and data analytics, enabling precise and consistent soil moisture monitoring that is critical for agriculture, horticulture, and environmental management, are favoring the soil moisture sensors market demand. Additionally, wired systems are preferred in large-scale agricultural operations and research facilities where the installation of permanent monitoring stations is feasible. Besides this, the robustness and accuracy of wired sensors, combined with their capacity for integration into existing agricultural infrastructure, such as irrigation control systems, make them invaluable tools for optimizing water usage and enhancing crop yield.
Agriculture exhibits a clear dominance in the market
According to the soil moisture sensor market outlook, agriculture represented the largest segment due to the critical importance of soil moisture monitoring in optimizing irrigation, improving crop yields, and reducing water waste. They are pivotal for precision farming practices, enabling farmers to apply the right amount of water at the right time to crops, thus conserving water resources and enhancing crop health. Moreover, the rising demand for soil moisture sensors in agriculture, driven by the growing need for sustainable agricultural practices amid increasing water scarcity and climate change challenges, is fueling the market growth. Additionally, the introduction of advanced sensors integrated with the Internet of Things (IoT) technologies that allow for real-time monitoring and data analysis is positively influencing the soil moisture sensor market opportunities.
North America leads the market, accounting for the largest soil moisture sensors market share
The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include North America (the United States and Canada); Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, and others); Europe (Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Russia, and others); Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and others); and the Middle East and Africa. According to the report, North America represents the largest regional market for soil moisture sensors.
According to research that analyses who is the largest region in the soil moisture sensor market, North America emerged as the dominating region, with a strong focus on precision agriculture and smart landscaping solutions. Moreover, the advanced agricultural technology ecosystem, coupled with the need to address water scarcity issues, is fueling the market growth. Additionally, the presence of leading technology providers and research institutions that support the development of innovative soil moisture monitoring solutions, is contributing to the soil moisture sensors market growth opportunities.
(Please note that this is only a partial list of the key players, and the complete list is provided in the report.)