Autonomous Farm Equipment Market Size, Share, Industry, Forecast and outlook (2024-2031)

Global Autonomous Farm Equipment Market is segmented By Product Type (Tractors, Harvesters, Others), By Capacity (Less than 30 HP, 31 to 100 HP, Above 100 HP), By Operation (Fully Autonomous, Semi-Autonomous), By Technology (GPS, IOT, Others), By Application (Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Others), and By Region (North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa) – Size, Share Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2024-2031

Autonomous Farm Equipment Market Overview

Global Autonomous Farm Equipment Market reached US$ 900.2 million in 2022 and is expected to reach US$ 2,992.18 million by 2031, growing with a CAGR of 16.2% during the forecast period 2024-2031.

Continuous advancements in sensor technology, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotics are driving the development of more sophisticated and efficient autonomous farm equipment. These technologies enable better precision, decision-making, and automation in agricultural tasks, leading to increased productivity and reduced labor costs.

In October 2022, Nanovel Ltd. a pioneer in the field of autonomous harvesting, introduced an autonomous tree fruit harvester. With the help of AI, computer vision, machine learning, and patented robotics technologies, Nanovel has developed an autonomous tree fruit harvester that makes the process more efficient, reliable, and affordable than manual harvesting. Citrus, stone fruit, avocado, and mango are among the many fruit varieties that the robot is capable of gripping and trimming.

Tractors account for over half of the market share due to their widespread application in agricultural activities. Similarly, North America dominates the autonomous farm equipment market, capturing the largest market share as the region has been at the forefront of adopting advanced agricultural equipment.

Autonomous Farm Equipment Market Scope

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Autonomous Farm Equipment Market Dynamics

Growing Adoption of Advanced Farming Practices

Advanced farming practices emphasize precision agriculture techniques to optimize resource use and maximize crop yields. Autonomous farm equipment, equipped with sensors, GPS technology, and real-time data analytics, enables precise planting, fertilizing, spraying, and harvesting, leading to improved efficiency and productivity. Autonomous farm equipment facilitates better crop management through timely and accurate interventions, such as targeted application of inputs like fertilizers, pesticides, and water.

 In March 2023, Drone manufacturer XAG partnered with FarmInno to introduce fully autonomous agricultural drones in Thailand. XAG’s autonomous agricultural drones are powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and will be utilized for targeted spraying and fertilizer distribution. This will assist farmers in Thailand reduce workforce shortages and save time and energy.

Labor Shortage in Agriculture

Labor shortages in the agriculture sector, particularly in regions with aging populations and urban migration trends, have led to challenges in sourcing and retaining skilled farm workers. According to the World Bank Employment in agriculture (% of total employment) was 27% in 2020 while in 2021 it is declined to 26%. Also according to the Farm Journal Labour Survey of 2021, the majority of farm employers (87%) and agricultural retailers (91%) are having trouble filling jobs.

As a result, farmers are increasingly turning to autonomous farm equipment to automate repetitive and labor-intensive tasks such as planting, weeding, spraying, and harvesting. By reducing the reliance on manual labor, autonomous farm equipment helps address the challenges posed by labor shortages, ensuring that essential farm operations can be carried out efficiently and effectively.

High Investment

One of the primary restraints for the adoption of autonomous farm equipment is the high initial investment required. The cost of purchasing and implementing autonomous machinery, including advanced sensors, GPS technology, robotics, and data management systems, can be substantial. For many farmers, especially small and medium-sized operations, the upfront capital investment may pose a significant barrier to adoption.

Another challenge for the autonomous farm equipment market is the lack of compatibility and interoperability between different autonomous systems and equipment. Farmers may hesitate to invest in autonomous technology if it is not compatible with their existing machinery or if it requires complex integration with other farm management systems.

Autonomous Farm Equipment Market Segment Analysis

The global autonomous farm equipment market is segmented based on type, capacity, operation, technology, application and region.

Autonomous Tractors’ Versatility and Widespread Adoption in Agricultural Operations.

Autonomous tractors have emerged as a dominant segment in the autonomous farm equipment market. Autonomous tractors enable farmers to streamline and automate various agricultural tasks, such as planting, plowing, seeding, and harvesting. By eliminating the need for manual operation, autonomous tractors can work continuously for extended periods, increasing overall farm efficiency and productivity.

In January 2021, Monarch Tractor, a U.S.-based company launched a fully electric autonomous tractor. With Monarch's interactive automation features, such as the Gesture and Shadow modes, a worker can utilize the tractor to follow them around the job site while they do pre-programmed tasks without the need for a driver. The company claims to have the world's first driver-optioned, fully electric smart tractor integrated on a single platform.

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Autonomous Farm Equipment Market Geographical Penetration

Technological Advancement in North America

North America, particularly the United States and Canada, is known for its strong technological innovation in agriculture. The region has been at the forefront of developing and implementing autonomous technologies in farming equipment. Governments in North America have been supportive of innovation in agriculture and have often provided funding and incentives for the adoption of advanced technologies such as autonomous farm equipment

In November 2023, researchers at Washington State University (WSU) received a $1.2 million National Science Foundation award with the goal of boosting the efficiency of robotics used in automated apple harvesting. Researchers are developing a simple, low-cost robot system with a soft body and a cloth arm. The idea behind the design is to allow the robot to react rapidly while also carefully harvesting apples without putting the trees at risk.

COVID-19 Impact Analysis

The pandemic disrupted global supply chains, affecting the production and distribution of autonomous farm equipment components and systems. Delays in manufacturing and shipping could slow down the adoption of these technologies. Economic uncertainties caused by the pandemic may have constrained the budgets of farmers and agricultural businesses, making investments in autonomous farm equipment less feasible in the short term.

However, the pandemic highlighted the importance of automation and remote operations in various industries, including agriculture. As a result, there has been an increased interest in autonomous farm equipment as a way to minimize the need for human labor and ensure operational continuity during health crises. Also, the pandemic underscored the importance of food security, leading to a renewed emphasis on improving agricultural efficiency and resilience. Autonomous farm equipment can contribute to this goal by optimizing farm operations and enhancing yields.

Russia-Ukraine War Impact Analysis

The conflict disrupted the supply chain, it led to delays or shortages in the production and distribution of autonomous farm equipment components. This disruption affected the availability of key technologies and components necessary for the operation of autonomous farm machinery. The Russia-Ukraine conflict directly affected agricultural production in the region due to disruptions in farming operations, displacement of farmers, and damage to infrastructure. As a result, there is a decreased demand for autonomous farm equipment in affected areas.

Key Developments

• In April 2022, In January 2022, John Deere unveiled a completely autonomous tractor that is prepared for mass production at CES 2022. The device integrates new cutting-edge technology, a GPS guidance system, a TruSet-enabled chisel plow, and a Deere 8R tractor.
• In February 2024, Prominent autonomous farming technology developer Agtonomy introduced its innovative smart farm task environment. With the integration of sophisticated farm equipment and self-driving tractors, this innovative breakthrough holds forth the promise of enhanced agricultural productivity and sustainability.
• In March 2021, Sitia introduced a hybrid autonomous robot for agriculture. Trektor is a highly configurable robot that can be used to maintain market gardens, tree crops, and vineyards with varying row widths and lengths by adjusting its track, height, and wheelbase. The robot's accuracy is within centimeters thanks to GNSS RTK vision, and extra safety measures including sensors and bumpers are in place.
• In April 2023, Hylio, a developer of cutting-edge drone technology to deliver the ultimate performance in agricultural crop spraying introduced a fully autonomous drone designed for large-scale agricultural operations. With a tank capacity of 8.0 gallons, the AG-130 can apply up to 50 acres per hour.

Competitive Landscape

The major global players in the market include CNH Industrial N.V., Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., Deere & Company, YANMAR HOLDINGS CO., LTD., Kubota Corporation, Naïo Technologies, Bobat Company, Agrobot, AGCO Corporation, Certhon

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• To visualize the global autonomous farm equipment market segmentation based on type, capacity, operation, technology, application and region, as well as understand key commercial assets and players.
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The global autonomous farm equipment market report would provide approximately 78 tables, 77 figures and 201 Pages.

Target Audience 2024

• Manufacturers/ Buyers
• Industry Investors/Investment Bankers
• Research Professionals

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