TOP 4 TRENDS for the AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY
According to Data Intelligence, LLC the global Agricultural Plastics Market reached USD 10.6 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 17.1 billion by 2030 growing with a CAGR of 6.2% during the forecast period 2023-2030. The use of polymers in agriculture has experienced significant growth, driven by the need to enhance crop yield, conserve resources, and mitigate environmental challenges. The agriculture industry continues to evolve, including the growth in precision agriculture applications and smart technology solutions.
More agricultural applications are switching from metals to plastics to improve efficiency, reduce maintenance costs, enhance sustainability, and ultimately benefit farmers and the agricultural industry.
Here are recent key trends in the agricultural industry:
Rapid Adoption of Smart Technologies
The Internet of Things (IoT) has become commonplace in modern agriculture. IoT refers to interrelated computing devices, sensors, appliances, and machines connected to the Internet. They enable data-driven decision-making to improve farm efficiency and automation to increase productivity, quality, and profitability.
Farmers can precisely monitor and manage their fields (remotely) leading to more efficient resource utilisation, reduced environmental impact, and increased yields.
Examples of IoT farm management include the use of drones or robots to disperse fertlisers and review crop growth, sensors to detect water tank volume, and collars for remote movement of livestock.
Continued Conversion from Conventional Materials to Plastic Alternative
The conversion from conventional materials (wood/metal) towards plastic alternatives offers a myriad of advantages from cost-efficiency and weight reduction to enhanced design flexibility and corrosion resistance.
As technology continues to advance, the adoption of plastic applications will continue to increase, driving innovation and efficiency in agriculture worldwide.
An example of this is the use of plastics for portable fence posts to control livestock movement.
Steady Growth in the use of Advanced Polymers
Advanced polymers are critical for agriculture because these materials need to withstand harsh environments, such as extreme temperature variances, and corrosion from pesticides, fertilisers and other chemicals that may be present.
The use of advanced polymers has gained popularity in agricultural applications as their properties, such as strength, functionality, resistance, and biodegradability, can be tailored to specific applications.
Examples of products with advanced polymers include those for electrical and solar devices used to maintain electrical fences.
Increased Demand for Efficiency
As the world continues to face the challenges of climate change and a rising global population, optimizing resources, and improving efficiency is essential to ensure sustainability.
An example of this is irrigation systems which can significantly reduce the waste of water, energy, and fertilizer, as they can be precisely controlled to produce healthier crops and higher yields. These systems help lower production costs, increase profitability for farmers, and promote a more sustainable agriculture industry.