Soil Moisture Sensor Market: Growth Strategy, Key Players, Key Segments

     

Introduction

The soil moisture sensor market is growing rapidly due to the increasing demand for precision agriculture, water saving and smart irrigation systems. Farmers and landscapers can monitor soil water content over consistent time frames, helping them use water effectively and improve crop yields with soil moisture sensors.
According to industry reports, The soil moisture sensor market size is projected to reach US$ 831.47 million by 2031 from US$ 275.45 billion in 2023. The market is expected to register a CAGR of 16.4 % in 2023—2031. The market for soil moisture sensors is heavily influenced by factors such as population growth, shortage of arable land, rising food prices, and advancements in agricultural technology.

Soil Moisture Sensors Market Size Strategies

To capitalize on this growing demand, aging companies adopted the following strategies:
1. Technology developments and IoT integration
• Companies develop smart soil moisture sensors with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and LoRaWAN connection to detect data in real-time by staff.
The integration of AI and machine learning aids in the prediction of irrigation needs, thereby reducing water wastage.
• Example: Toro offers cloud-based irrigation systems using soil moisture data.
2. Strategic Partnerships and Alliances
• Sensor manufacturers partner with agri-tech companies, governments, and research institutes.
• Example: Campbell Scientific partners with universities for precision agriculture research and development.
3. Expansion into emerging markets
• Companies are drawn to the Asia-Pacific region and Latin America, where agriculture is an important economic sector.
• Example: Acclima Inc. has expanded its distribution network in Indonesia and Brazil.
4. Product Diversification
• Manufacturers are launching low-cost, portable and wireless sensors to serve smallholder farmers.
• Example: Meter Group offers volumetric and tensiometric sensors for different soil types.
5. Government Grants and Sustainability Initiatives
• Many governments are now supporting smart farm developers, increasing the use of sensors.
• Example: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) encourages reforestation and sustainable agriculture to track agricultural resources.

Soil Moisture Sensor Market Key Players

Sentek Technologies: A leader in the field of soil moisture monitoring, known for its innovative and relatively involved sensors that assist in the optimization of irrigation and the efficiency of water use in agriculture, horticulture and environmental research to improve. It makes possible of high quality soil moisture measurement with its leading-edge technology that farmers and researchers assist in making informed decisions.

Irrometer Company, Inc.: 'n leading manufacturer of soil moisture meters and irrigation meters, tensiometers and water signals, which sees the most rugged and accurate sensor in the industry. With decades of experience, Irrometer assists sustainable use of water in agriculture, fertilization and scientific research, and assists users to maintain the soil moisture levels for the health of plants.

Stevens Water Monitoring Systems Inc.: A leader in water and environmental monitoring solutions, including weather and data loggers and soil moisture sensors. Hydrologists, agronomists, and environmental scientists rely on their reliable and user-friendly systems to collect and analyze data in real time.

Key Market Segments
The soil moisture sensors market is segmented by type, application, and region.
Per species

o Volumetric soil moisture sensor
A volumetric soil moisture sensor measures water content as a percentage of the total soil volume. These sensors are used to determine the dielectric conductivity of the soil using various techniques such as time domain reflectometry (TDR), frequency domain reflectometry (FDR), or capacitance-based methods, depending on the application. Volumetric water content (VWC) in m3/m3 or percentage provides real-time information and allows real-time analysis of products for irrigation management, agricultural research and environmental monitoring. These sensors are widely used in precision agriculture to optimize water use, prevent over-irrigation, and improve yields. However, their accuracy can be affected by soil type, salinity, and temperature, and measurements involved require proper calibration.

Soil Water Potential Sensor
Soil water potential sensor measures the energy status of soil water and the extent to which water is adsorbed on soil particles (matric potential) and available for uptake by plants. Expressed in units such as kilopascals (kPa) or bars, soil water potential controls whether or not water will move in the soil and with how much facility it can be absorbed by plants. These include tensiometers, gypsum blocks, and granular matrix sensors, each intended for a limited range of moisture. Soil water potential is also significant in learning about plant stress, irrigation timing, and water retention regulation of different soils. Unlike volumetric sensors, sensors of water potential provide direct reports on plant-accessible water rather than just its quantity, making them valuable to drought research and efficient irrigation schemes.
Both sensors are routinely used together to provide an overall picture of soil water dynamics—volumetric sensors quantify the amount of water, and water potential sensors quantify how readily that water is available to plants. Together, this permits improved water management for agriculture, landscaping, and climatology.

Conclusion
Soil moisture sensors market is a critical part of modern agriculture and environmental management. As IoT, AI, and wireless technologies develop further, irrigation is becoming smarter, production higher, and water consumption sustainable, thanks to sensor vendors.
The trailblazers are the likes of METER Group, Campbell Scientific, and The Toro Company, while the market in Asia-Pacific and Latin America, which is growing, presents enormous opportunities.
As the world inclines towards precision farming and climatic adaptation, soil moisture sensors will play an increasingly significant role in shaping the agricultural future.