Demand for field robots produced sales of $1.1 billion in 2020, says GlobalData, and the company forecasts the market will hit $11 billion by 2030.
The projection is presented in GlobalData’s latest report, ‘Robotics in Agriculture’. Rachel Foster Jones, Thematic Analyst at GlobalData, said: “Robots can harvest crops, pick fruits, weed, milk livestock, apply fertilizers and monitor farm operations. Robotics will, therefore, be key in helping to ease labour shortages, reduce pressure on natural resources and meet the global demand for agricultural products, while also helping the sector adapt to the challenges of climate change.”
The report projects that the commercial drone market will overtake military drones and become the largest segment of the drone market by revenue in the next few years, noting that agricultural drones are a key driver. The report also says that hiring for robotics-related roles has risen significantly in the agricultural sector.
Jones said: “Both traditional agricultural companies, such as Cargill and Syngenta, and agricultural start-ups are hiring in robotics. The agricultural sector is becoming increasingly aware of the potential of robotics as traditional companies are trying to improve their internal expertise of this important theme rather than simply forming partnerships. As more traditional agricultural companies try to enhance their robotics expertise, increased acquiring activity will be experienced by the sector.”
For more from New AG International on autonomous farming, here.
For more from New AG International on using drones to apply nutrients, here.
For more on robots from New AG International, here.
Read SEP/OCT issue of New AG International, here.