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Market Overview

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The global smart irrigation controllers market reached a value of $588 million in 2021 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.98% to reach $1,281 million by 2027. This growth is expected to be driven by the rising adoption of smart agriculture practices and government initiatives promoting sustainable irrigation techniques.

Water scarcity is a significant global environmental issue. While the commercial and agriculture industries consume most of the water resources, the residential sector has also become a major user, particularly in developed countries. Studies have shown that landscape irrigation accounts for the majority of residential water usage. Excessive watering can have negative impacts on the environment and crop production. Limited availability of natural resources like fresh water and arable land, along with low crop yields, have worsened the water scarcity issue. Another concern in the agriculture industry is the shift of the workforce away from agriculture towards non-agricultural sectors. As a result, the adoption of internet connectivity and smart technologies in agriculture has increased. With population growth, decreasing agricultural land, and resource depletion, enhancing farm yield has become crucial.

Smart irrigation processes have the potential to manage and reduce water usage. Smart equipment, such as smart irrigation controllers, provide a better understanding of soil and crop moisture content. Automating irrigation operations increases efficiency and reduces irrigation costs. Smart irrigation equipment also provides timely notifications about soil abnormalities, water leakage, and other issues, contributing to the long-term health of landscapes. Software solutions support automated irrigation procedures, analyzing sensor data for precision irrigation. Smart irrigation controllers have applications in residential, sports ground, landscape, and agricultural settings. Weather-based controllers collect data based on climate changes, while soil-based controllers offer solutions based on soil moisture content. Market players are introducing Wi-Fi-enabled smart irrigation controllers that can be operated remotely through mobile applications. The efficiency offered by these controllers improves irrigation activities, reduces water consumption, and minimizes wastage.

The smart irrigation controllers market is in the introductory growth phase. Increased research and development in agriculture, growing awareness of technology-based farming, climate change, and water scarcity are expected to drive demand for smart irrigation controllers among farmers and agriculture companies.

Big data management on farms and advancements in communication technologies present significant opportunities in the global smart irrigation controllers market. The Asia-Pacific region, with its large agricultural sectors contributing to the GDP of many countries, offers substantial opportunities for the market.

In 2021, North America generated the highest revenue of $212 million, projected to reach $440 million by 2027. The region has witnessed rapid growth in the smart irrigation industry due to technological advancements and government support. Traditional irrigation systems often waste water used for landscape irrigation. The increasing demand for smart irrigation controllers that can automatically meet run times and water schedules is expected to drive growth in the coming years. Europe generated a revenue of $118 million in 2021, expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.95% from 2022 to 2027. The increased use of smart irrigation systems and investments from the European Commission for IoT-based smart irrigation contribute to this growth, particularly in Eastern Europe.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a short-term impact on the smart irrigation market in 2020 and 2021. However, the market is expected to recover with robust growth. The demand for IoT devices in agricultural farms to optimize resource utilization with limited labor requirements is anticipated to drive the demand for smart irrigation controllers in both agricultural and non-agricultural sectors during and after the pandemic.

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Market Segmentation

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The market is segmented based on various factors, including application, type, and region.

Segmentation by Application
Agriculture
Non-Agriculture

Segmentation by Type
Soil-Based Controller
Weather-Based Controller

Segmentation by Region
North America – U.S., Canada, and Mexico
Europe – Germany, Netherlands, Spain, France, and Rest-of-Europe
China
U.K.
Asia-Pacific – Japan, India, Australia and New Zealand, and Rest-of-Asia-Pacific
South America – Brazil, Argentina, and Rest-of-South America
Middle East and Africa – South Africa, Israel, and Rest-of-Middle East and Africa

The non-agriculture industry is expected to dominate the global smart irrigation controllers market in terms of application. This can be attributed to the growing adoption of smart irrigation controllers in various non-agricultural sectors, including golf courses, sports grounds, residential areas, private lawns, and gardens. Among these segments, the non-agriculture segment is projected to hold a significant share of $740 million in the global smart irrigation controllers market by 2027. While irrigation and smart irrigation equipment are traditionally associated with agriculture, they have found multiple applications in non-agricultural sectors such as residential properties, golf courses, sports grounds, turf and landscape maintenance, commercial units, and more. The prevalence of water wastage in traditional irrigation methods has created opportunities for smart irrigation solutions in these industries. Companies operating in the global smart irrigation controllers market are offering innovative products and extended services tailored to different industries. Smart irrigation controllers are designed to optimize water usage and conservation in their specific applications, leading to more efficient irrigation practices.

In terms of controller type, weather-based irrigation controllers currently dominate the smart irrigation controllers market, followed by soil-based irrigation controllers. Soil-based controllers are expected to witness the highest compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.18% during the forecast period. These controllers utilize sensors to provide real-time soil moisture data, enabling faster adjustment of irrigation schedules based on specific irrigation requirements. Unlike weather-based controllers that rely on weather forecasts and data from weather stations, soil-based controllers offer more precise control. However, the weather-based controller segment is anticipated to maintain its dominance in the global market, reaching a significant share of $792 million by 2027. Weather-based controllers, also known as evapotranspiration (ET) controllers, utilize weather data to calculate the water consumption of fields. Evapotranspiration refers to the combined processes of water evaporation and transpiration that occur at the Earth’s surface. By adjusting irrigation schedules based on local weather conditions, weather-based controllers deliver the necessary amount of water for landscapes.

The Asia-Pacific region is experiencing the fastest growth in the smart irrigation controllers industry. Factors such as changing climatic conditions, increasing government support, and a growing emphasis on water conservation are driving the adoption of smart irrigation controllers in the region. North America currently leads the global smart irrigation controllers market, particularly in the United States, Mexico, and other countries that are expected to demonstrate robust market growth in the next five years. Technological advancements in the agricultural industry have contributed to the rapid growth of this region. The United States, in particular, plays a key role in this market with several prominent market players originating from the country. Additionally, the Asia-Pacific region is witnessing rapid growth in the smart irrigation controllers industry. The region’s dynamic government initiatives, coupled with the extensive demand for smart irrigation practices and greenhouse cultivation, are driving market growth. Farmers in the region recognize the need to increase crop yields and ensure a year-round supply of agricultural produce to meet the growing demand.

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Competitive Landscape

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Key players in the global smart irrigation controllers market have made significant advancements through activities such as mergers and acquisitions, business expansions, partnerships, collaborations, joint ventures, and product launches. In December 2021, Netafim India showcased their commitment to innovation by introducing the Flexi Sprinkler Kit, specifically designed for open field crops. This product is readily available across India through Netafim’s established dealer network and is suitable for various vegetables and open field crops including wheat, bajra, soybean, jowar, groundnut, among others. Similarly, Rain Bird Corporation demonstrated their dedication to providing advanced water management solutions by launching the ESP-LXIVM Series in February 2020. These user-friendly controllers cater to two-wire irrigation systems and offer a range of industry-leading features, including diagnostics and tools for managing large and complex sites efficiently.

Key companies profiled in this report include Calsense, Galcon Ltd., Holman Industries, Hunter Industries, HydroPoint Data Systems, Inc., K-Rain Manufacturing Corporation, Lindsay Corporation, Nelson Irrigation Corporation, Netafim, Rachio, Inc., Rain Bird Corporation, Skydrop, The Toro Company, Valmont Industries, Inc., Weathermatic.

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Recent Industry Developments

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In February 2022, Calsense introduced Irrigation Management as a Service (IMaaS), which presents a unique and highly valuable approach to irrigation management. This service eliminates the need for customers to secure capital funds for the purchase of smart irrigation controllers, sensors, and software.

In May 2021, The Toro Company acquired Left Hand Robotics, Inc., aiming to enhance its strategic position in next-generation technologies. This acquisition specifically focuses on areas such as alternative power, smart connected products, and autonomous technologies.

In March 2020, Netafim collaborated with FluroSat to integrate FluroSat’s remote sensing technology into Netafim’s digital irrigation management platform, Netbeat. This partnership allows for the incorporation of advanced remote sensing capabilities into Netafim’s platform.

In June 2019, Rain Bird partnered with Living Turf to act as the primary distributor for Rain Bird Gold Irrigation products across Australia. This collaboration enables Rain Bird to expand its presence and distribution network in Australia.

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Key Questions Answered

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What is the projected revenue and compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of the global smart irrigation controllers market during the forecast period of 2021-2027?

What are the key trends, market drivers, and opportunities in the global smart irrigation controllers market?

What are the main restraints hindering the growth of the global smart irrigation controllers market?

What new strategies are existing market players adopting to enhance their market position in the industry?

Based on recent developments, product offerings, and regional presence, what is the competitive strength of key players in the global smart irrigation controllers market?

How do the key global smart irrigation controllers market players in the food sector compare in terms of market coverage and market potential through competitive benchmarking?

What is the expected revenue and growth rate for each segment during the forecast period?

Who are the major players and stakeholders operating in the smart irrigation controllers market ecosystem, and what is their significance in the global market?

Which region represents the largest market for global smart irrigation controllers?

What are the anticipated future scenarios and revenue generated by different regions and countries in the global smart irrigation controllers market, including North America, South America, Europe, the U.K., China, Asia-Pacific, and Middle East and Africa?