PUBLISHER: Knowledge Sourcing Intelligence | PRODUCT CODE: 1321597
PUBLISHER: Knowledge Sourcing Intelligence | PRODUCT CODE: 1321597
A soil sensor is a device designed to measure and monitor various parameters and characteristics of soil, providing valuable information about its composition and moisture content. These sensors are typically equipped with probes inserted into the soil, allowing them to collect data on important factors such as temperature, pH, nutrients, and moisture levels. Soil sensors are of various types, such as soil moisture and temperature sensors, which can be used in the agriculture, construction, and mining sectors to assess soil conditions, optimize resource allocation, and ensure environmental sustainability. The growing agricultural sector and increase in mining activities are anticipated to drive the demand for the soil sensor, thereby boosting market growth.
The demand for food production is increasing as the global population continues to expand, and to meet this demand, farmers and agricultural businesses are increasingly adopting precision agriculture techniques that rely on accurate data and insights about soil conditions. Soil sensors provide real-time information on essential parameters such as moisture content, nutrient levels, and pH balance, enabling farmers to make informed decisions about irrigation, fertilization, and crop management. Farmers can optimize resource allocation, minimize water and fertilizer wastage, and maximize crop yields using soil sensors. These benefits lead to increased productivity and contribute to sustainable agriculture practices by reducing environmental impact and promoting soil health. The increase in agricultural production and monetary benefits given to farmers to improve agriculture yield will propel the demand for soil sensors. According to the India Brand Equity Foundation in 2023, the total foodgrain production in India will reach 149.92 million tonnes in 2023. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) report in 2022, the US agricultural production grew up to 175% from 1948 to 2019. In 2019, crops accounted for 54 percent of the total value of agricultural output. On March 2023, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed a loan agreement with IndusInd Bank Limited to provide private-sector finance of up to 13 billion yen. This loan aims to improve access to finance for farmers and increase agricultural productivity in India.
There is a higher likelihood of soil degradation, contamination, and erosion in the surrounding areas with increased mining operations. Companies and regulatory bodies are increasingly adopting measures to monitor and manage soil conditions effectively to mitigate the negative environmental impact of mining activities. Soil sensors provide real-time data on soil's moisture content, pH levels, nutrient levels, and compaction, enabling mining companies to track the impact of their operations on the ground. Such sensors also play a crucial role in monitoring and assessing the quality and health of soil. The rising mining activities and increasing soil erosion in mining areas will boost the demand for soil sensors. According to the Institute of Physics (IOP) 2020 report, global mining activities in disturbing large areas of land may increase soil erosion rates up to several hundred times greater than from undisturbed areas, and it estimated a material loss of 116,146.43 tons/year due to erosion. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in 2019, China invested about $173 billion in the mining sector to improve the development and production of minerals, showing a year-on-year increase of 24% respectively.
The Asia-Pacific region is expected to dominate the market due to the expanding agricultural practices in countries like China and India and increasing mining activities. In 2022, the Chinese government decided to invest in Afghanistan's mining sector and seek dominance over its mineral resources, particularly its lithium deposits. In October 2021, the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare of India announced that 820,600 seed mini-kits would be distributed free of cost in 343 identified districts across 15 major producing states, which would boost production and productivity by speeding up the seed replacement rate and subsequently helped in increasing farmers' income. Such positive developments will boost the demand for soil sensors, further accelerating their regional market growth.