Micro Irrigation Systems Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Sprinkler, Drip, Central Pivot), By Crop (Plantation, Orchard, Field, Forage & Grass), By Application, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2024 - 2030

Micro Irrigation Systems Market Trends

The global micro irrigation systems market size was valued at USD 12.5 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.3% from 2024 to 2030. Micro-irrigation systems, such as drip irrigation, sprinkler, and other such techniques are highly effective in directing water straight to the roots of plants, thus reducing wastage and optimizing water usage. Many regions across the globe are currently experiencing climate change and a range of negative impacts on the environment, including water shortages that have endangered agricultural productivity.

This presents a major opportunity for providers of micro irrigation systems. According to an article published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, micro irrigation systems utilize 20-50% less water than traditional sprinkler systems, while also ensuring its efficient distribution in a crop. Additionally, growing government and NGO support to manage water scarcity in drought-prone areas through financial aid and subsidies, as well as creating awareness regarding optimal use of water in agriculture, has also enabled market expansion.

The increasing adoption of sustainable agriculture and micro-irrigation techniques has substantially aided in optimal water conservation and distribution. Micro irrigation systems are constantly improving through technological advancements, such as the introduction of automated distribution, the deployment of drones to understand the scope of irrigation, and the presence of sensor-based monitoring systems for efficient irrigation solutions.

These advancements reduce labor requirements, conserve water, and result in an optimum use of resources. These factors have helped in driving demand for such solutions. Micro irrigation systems find application in various areas such as agriculture, nurseries, greenhouses, and others, ensuring the yield of crops of a desired quality. Furthermore, by using micro irrigation systems, agriculturists can grow seasonal fruits and vegetables throughout the year, generating higher sales and profits.

Product Insights

Drip micro irrigation systems dominated the market with a revenue share of 42.5% in 2023. Drip irrigation effectively transports a small amount of water directly to the roots of plants. This technique reduces water loss from evaporation or runoff, leading to highly targeted and effective water usage. These systems are efficient for growing several types of crops, such as fruits, vegetables, and row crops. The adaptability of drip irrigation in a majority of agricultural techniques is helping in further segment expansion. In comparison to simple irrigation methods, drip irrigation is cost-effective in the long run. Moreover, government subsidies are offered to farmers who adopt drip irrigation systems for agricultural purposes, leading to their increasing usage across farms.

The sprinkler irrigation systems segment is expected to witness a fastest CAGR over the forecast period. The demand for this technique is significantly growing as it requires lower initial costs. A sprinkler irrigation system is generally used for irrigating large and open fields and covers a wider area as compared to other irrigation systems. Additionally, sprinkler irrigation is extensively adaptable as it is efficient for watering various types of crops such as corn, wheat, and certain pasture areas. Compared to traditional irrigation techniques, newer sprinkler technologies such as low-pressure systems and center pivots can manage water distribution efficiently, elevating their demand.

Crop Insights

Orchard crops accounted for a leading market share in 2023. High-value fruits and nuts are typically considered as orchard crops. Farmers who grow such crops experience a significant return on investment by using micro-irrigation systems. Traditional orchard crops generally require manual labor with conventional irrigation methods, whereas micro-irrigation systems require less manual intervention, leading to lower labor expenses in maintaining orchard crops. Micro irrigation processes, particularly drip irrigation, deliver water directly to the roots and maximize water usage, thus improving the quality of fruits and nuts in orchard crops. Furthermore, these systems assist in keeping moisture levels stable, resulting in improved fruit quality that can generate higher profits.

The use of micro irrigation systems in plantation crops is expected to grow significantly during the forecast period. Plantation crops are high-value crops such as palm oil, tea, and coffee. The global demand for these products is rising, due to increasing population and the extensive use of palm oil in several products. As a result, there is a constant need to ensure high quality of these crops while also minimizing water usage. Micro-irrigation techniques ensure proper water supply to plantation crops, which leads to a better quality of beans or nuts. Additionally, governments are encouraging micro-irrigation systems in plantation agriculture by offering subsidies or educational initiatives. This can potentially increase farmers' access to such systems and help in market expansion.

Application Insights

The agriculture segment held the largest revenue share in the market in 2023. Micro-irrigation systems are specifically designed for use in agricultural settings. These systems reduce the improper use and wastage of water resources and optimize agricultural productivity. This makes them ideal for farmers who want to ensure efficient water usage and increase their crop production. Additionally, agriculture sector continues to be a major business globally, as a majority of the population is dependent on agricultural activities for food. With the steadily rising population and availability of lesser cultivable space, the need for effective and efficient agricultural methods is also increasing, boosting the micro-irrigation systems industry.

Meanwhile, the greenhouse segment is projected to expand at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. Greenhouses are frequently used for growing valuable crops such as fruits, vegetables, and flowers. These crops need regular and precise irrigation to ensure good produce and growth. Micro-irrigation effectively meets the requirements of such crops, driving the demand for these systems in this area. Moreover, there is an emerging requirement globally for high-quality seasonal and off-seasonal agricultural products. Greenhouses provide an effective solution in this regard, wherein micro-irrigation aids in promoting effective water consumption for sustainable greenhouse cultivation.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific led the global market with a revenue share of 38.3% in 2023. Agriculture is the primary business in a majority of the regional economies, with an extensive farming population. As a result, there is a constant need to adopt technology in irrigation processes to improve efficiency and productivity. Micro irrigation helps farmers by minimizing water wastage and boosting crop production. Additionally, the scarcity of water resources in several economies has highlighted the importance of micro-irrigation systems in this region. Regional governments are granting subsidies to farmers to purchase such systems and providing education and training assistance to them.

India Micro Irrigation Systems Market Trends

India micro irrigation systems market is significantly expanding, as the economy is largely dependent on agriculture and a substantial portion of the population is engaged in farming activities. Additionally, efforts by government organizations to incorporate technologically advanced processes in this sector are expected to drive the usage of techniques such as micro irrigation. For instance, under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), the Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) scheme has been implemented to improve water usage efficiency via micro irrigation techniques. There has been a notable growth in the number of companies offering their micro irrigation solutions to Indian farmers, driving market expansion.

North America Micro Irrigation Systems Market Trends

North America is anticipated to witness steady growth in the micro irrigation systems market in the coming years. Farms utilizing some form of micro irrigation systems account for a substantial percentage of regional crop sales. Irrigated crop production provides significant support to local rural economies in many regions of North America and contributes to the livestock, food processing, transportation, and energy sectors, highlighting micro irrigation systems as an important part of this ecosystem. Furthermore, the presence of several micro-irrigation technology firms and research organizations, such as T-L Irrigation and ValmontIndustries Inc., whose focus is on driving innovations in these irrigation techniques, is expected to aid market expansion.

The micro irrigation systems market in the U.S. accounted for a dominant revenue share in the region in 2023. Federal and State agencies in the country, along with non-government organizations, are playing a pivotal role by investing heavily in agricultural research and development by sponsoring various programs. Moreover, the country’s early adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies is expected to complement this market extensively in the coming years. The U.S. has several notable micro-irrigation companies such as The Toro Company, Rain Bird Corporation, and Lindsay Corporation, which contribute to industry developments.

Europe Micro Irrigation Systems Market Trends

Europe has been identified as a lucrative region in the micro irrigation systems industry. Several European economies and their governments are recognizing the need for water conservation in the agricultural sector and providing incentives & policies to promote the adoption of micro-irrigation practices among farmers. Government bodies are approving major drip irrigation projects to enhance the agricultural industry and improve the food security scenario. The presence of notable manufacturers such as Elgo Irrigation, Agrodrip SA, Teco Srl, and Irritec SpA has further helped enhance the growth prospects of this market in Europe.

The UK micro irrigation market is expected to witness steady growth in the coming years. An increasing number of farmers in the UK are adopting precision agriculture techniques, which frequently involve the use of micro-irrigation. Furthermore, the economy has a significant production of high-value crops such as vegetables, fruits, and nuts; micro irrigation systems help in improving the quality of such crops and ensure higher incentives for farmers. The implementation of various environment-friendly projects and initiatives by the government presents further opportunities for market expansion. For instance, in August 2022, Netafim, which provides sustainable solutions in precision agriculture, implemented its drip irrigation system in Suffolk, UK, at a site growing a form of Paulownia trees, which are known to absorb carbon efficiently. Such instances are expected to boost the appeal of this market.

Key Micro Irrigation Systems Company Insights

Some key companies in the micro irrigation systems market include Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd., Lindsay Corporation, Mahindra Agri, and NETAFIM. Major companies in the market are concentrating on expanding their customer base to gain a competitive advantage.

• Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd. is a global micro-irrigation company, supplying its products to over 120 countries. Its Micro-Irrigation Division is involved in the manufacturing of precision irrigation products. The company provides a range of services, including soil survey, engineering design, and agronomics support. It further supports an advanced agricultural institute, along with a center for farm resource research & development, demonstration, training, and extension.

• Mahindra Agri offers advanced agricultural solutions to farmers and growers and also provides export and marketing services for a diverse range of fruits, vegetables, pulses, edible oils, and crop care products. The company’s micro-irrigation business has become an important part of its operations since the acquisition of Mahindra EPC Irrigation Limited (MEIL) in 2011. This unit is involved in the manufacturing and sales of premium sprinklers and drip irrigation solutions to customers, with the presence of a production plant in Nashik (India) and satellite facilities in Coimbatore and Baroda (India).

Recent Developments

• In August 2024, Rain Bird Corporation announced the acquisition of the assets of Adritec Group International in Jordan and Mexico. This would enable Rain Bird to expand its presence in Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America regions, while ensuring improved access to precision agriculture products.

• In January 2024, Lindsay Corporation launched the ‘FieldNET NextGen,’ an upgraded user interface for the company’s FieldNET platform, a remote monitoring & control solution for center pivot irrigation brands. The platform assists farmers in conducting routine monitoring while providing advanced agronomic recommendations for irrigation using FieldNET Advisor. The next-gen solution features a more responsive and intuitive interface, enhanced mapping and visualization, remote monitoring, and intelligent reporting.

Micro Irrigation Systems Market Report Scope

Global Micro Irrigation Systems Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at the global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global micro irrigation systems market report based on product, crop, application, and region.

• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Sprinkler

  • Drip

  • Central Pivot

  • Lateral Move

• Crop Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Plantation Crops

  • Orchard Crops

  • Field Crops

  • Forage & Grass

  • Others

• Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Agriculture

  • Landscape

  • Green House

  • Nursery

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • UK

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • Japan

    • India

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

  • Middle East & Africa