Soil Testing Inspection and Certification Market Size [2031]

Report Description

Soil Testing, Inspection, and Certification Market Outlook 2031

The global soil testing, inspection, and certification market size was valued at USD 6 Billion in 2022 and is likely to reach USD 9.7 Billion by 2031, expanding at a CAGR of 5.5% during the forecast period, 2023–2031. The market growth is attributed to the growing adoption of innovative agricultural practices coupled with the increasing commercialization of farming in developing countries.

Increasing focus on enhancing soil fertility is expected to propel the market. Consumer demands are growing at an exponential rate with the rise of population, industrialization, and lifestyle changes. Agricultural yield significantly depends on the quality of the soil, hence, it requires to be inspected and maintained from time to time. Expanding knowledge of farming techniques is boosting the practice of soil inspection and testing worldwide. Emergence of smart farming tools and equipment, such as monitoring systems, sensors, and drones, among others, is expected to create opportunities in the market.

• According to the study published by the United Nations on World Soil Day, December 5, 2022, 95% of the world’s food comes from the soil. Out of 18 essential naturally occurring chemical elements required for plant growth, 15 are supplied by soil. Soil degradation is rising globally. The study reveals that about 33% of soils are degraded.

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The research report finds that the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the soil testing, inspection, and certification market. The workforce shortage, restrictions on trade, and supply chain hindrances affected the demand in the market. Soil operations progressed at a slow pace or were completely halted, as fears of infections and lockdowns in various nations limited the usual business activities and public movements.

However, the pandemic has highlighted the significance of agricultural productivity, as the whole world rushed to hoard food grains and other essential products at houses, due to uncertainties and gaps in the supply chain. Several nations are emphasizing on boosting agricultural yield, which is likely to support the growth of the market in the coming years.

Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on Soil Testing, Inspection, and Certification Market

The advent of AI-powered techniques and solutions is likely to support the market in the coming years. The investment from government and private players is increasing towards developing different innovative tools for smart and precision farming, such as smart farming drones.

Ability of AI to quickly analyze vast data to provide insights and suggestions aids in enhancing several agricultural soil-related procedures. The technology is set to help farmers understand nutrient shortfalls or excessive use in soil, which optimizes resources, while improving quality yield. Smart AI-integrated gadgets such as AI soil sensors, are being developed and launched to aid farmers in soil operations.

• On July 10, 2023, SoilMate, a Europe-based solutions provider for geo analysis, introduced SoilMate.ai, a web-based service for remote earth analytics. It is developed to ease the process of gaining geo-analytics, through satellite imagery and readymade geo-analysis tools based on AI. This tool is used to enhance farming practices, carry out in-depth research, and optimize supply chains.

Soil Testing, Inspection, and Certification Market Dynamics

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Major Drivers

Rising soil degradation, due to intensive farming practices and environmental factors, is anticipated to propel the market during the projection period. Overuse of artificial fertilizers, overgrazing, construction activities, and deforestation are resulting in a decline in soil productivity.

Environmental factors, including excessive rainfall and high-speed wind, are causing an imbalance in soil content. Farmers are adopting soil testing, inspection, and certification solutions to analyze the soil conditions and take steps towards fixing the quality issues.

• As per the study published in March 2022 by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), the largest multilateral trust fund centered on environmental services, land degradation is one of the major environmental issues globally. Scientists warned that 24 billion tons of fertile soil is being lost every year, due to unsustainable farming practices. Soil degradation issue has affected nearly 3.2 billion people globally, especially smallholder farmers and rural communities.

Increasing commercialization of agriculture is likely to fuel the market in the coming years. Demand for various products is rising across industries, due to the growing global population. As a result, the commercialization of agriculture is rising all over the world. Agriculturists are adopting precision farming practices such as soil inspection and testing, which are proven to boost production.

• According to a study published by the United Nations in December 2022, global agricultural production needs to increase by 60%, to sufficiently meet the food demand in 2050.

Existing Restraints

Lack of coordination among market stakeholders and inadequate implementation of regulatory standards are likely to affect the market. The establishment of proper communication and information exchange channels among farmers, market players, and governments is limited.

Factors, including lack of trust from farmers, budgetary issues, and limited awareness about new techniques, especially in developing regions, hamper the adoption of soil inspection and testing. The regulatory standards for farming services are inadequate and vary across regions. Lack of proper regulatory infrastructure limits the expansion of operations by the market players.

Emerging Opportunities

Advancements in soil technology and the rising implementation of smart farming are expected to create opportunities in the market. The testing industry is progressing rapidly, due to the introduction of technologies such as AI, machine learning, computer vision, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

These technologies are reducing the cost and time required for soil inspection and testing. Key players in the market are developing and launching accurate solutions to analyze soil samples to detect and measure the presence or lack of various elements.

• On October 16, 2023, BhoomiSeva, the distributor of Bhu-Vision, a ground-breaking automated soil testing platform, launched a soil health card project. The company intends to promote the project through a network of 12.5 lakh chemist shops. The project is intended to offer cost-effective and efficient soil testing solutions to farmers.

Scope of Soil Testing, Inspection, and Certification Market Report

The global market research report includes an assessment of the market trends, market segments, and regional markets. Overview and dynamics have also been included in the report.

Soil Testing, Inspection, and Certification Market Segment Insights

Test Type Segment Analysis

Based on test type, the soil testing, inspection, and certification market is trifurcated into quality, contamination, and pH test. The quality segment is subcategorized as physical characteristics, organic matter, inorganics, nutrients & minerals, metal, and others. The contamination segment is divided into chemicals, pathogens, toxins, and others.

The quality segment held the largest share of the market in 2022 and is projected to continue leading the market throughout the projection period. The segment growth is attributed to the rising efforts by farmers and various governments towards improving soil quality for increasing productivity.

Concerns over soil degradation are increasing, owing to the rise of construction, urbanization, and the use of artificial elements for boosting land productivity. Environmental factors, such as hard rains, strong winds, and excess irrigation, have increased soil erosion. Human activities over agricultural land are rising, which increases the possibility of soil erosion.

Advancing soil testing techniques, such as eco-computing and DNA sequencing, are providing comprehensive insights into soil biology. Modern farmers are adopting soil testing solutions to check the contents and fertility of the soil, which is expected to fuel the segment.

The pH test segment is anticipated to register sustained growth in the coming years, as it is essential to determine the nutrient-absorbing capacity of the soil and the presence of various content. Maintaining pH levels balanced is important for properly managing soil fertility. The pH level of the soil is influenced by climate factors, fertilizer usage, maintenance, and organisms.

• Soil pH level is scaled from 0 to 14. pH level below 7 is acidic soil, while above 7 is considered as alkaline soil. Soil with a pH level 7 indicates that it is a neutral soil.

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Service Type Segment Analysis

On the basis of service type, the global market is segregated into testing, inspection, and certification. The testing segment is further segmented into routine soil testing and greenhouse saturation. The testing segment is anticipated to hold a major revenue share in the market, owing to the rising inclination towards the commercialization of farming.

The new generation of farmers is turning agriculture into agribusiness, to generate significant profits through careful planning, management, and execution. Soil testing services are aiding farmers in informing about quality, quantity, and other steps necessary for soil treatments. This, in turn, aids in fixing the nutrient shortfalls and pH levels in farming land. Regular application of these soil testing services improves soil fertility, which is significant for growing healthy crops.

End-user Segment Analysis

On the basis of end-user, the soil testing, inspection, and certification market is segmented into commercial and residential. The commercial segment is further divided into agriculture, gardens & lawns, landscape contractors, and others. The commercial segment is expected to register robust growth during the forecast period, owing to the rising demand to boost soil productivity and drive agricultural output.

Land under agriculture is declining, owing to urbanization and industrialization. Modern-day farmers are seeking ways to generate high yields on limited land. The growing use of land for organic farming and the rising adoption of smart farming techniques are driving the demand from commercial users. The market is registering significant demand in urban and semi-urban areas, due to the development of gardens, stadiums, and lawns for entertainment, aesthetic, and leisure purposes.

Regional Analysis

In terms of region, the global soil testing, inspection, and certification market is classified as Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa. North America is expected to dominate the market during the projection period, owing to the rising demand for high crop yields and increasing adoption of sustainable agriculture practices.

The US government has implemented strict regulations regarding nutrient levels in the crop to prevent the excessive use of artificial fertilizers and chemicals in agriculture. Farmers in the region are adopting soil services and soil testing kits to keep a tab on the contents of the soil. Growing adoption of organic farming and the development of parks, gardens, and lawns are likely to propel the market in this region.

• On April 6, 2023, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced an investment for developing climate-smart agriculture, soil health, and nutrient management innovations. The investment of USD 40 million is expected to be made through Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) for 31 new projects. An additional USD 19 million investment is announced for two projects associated with nutrient management. These two projects are anticipated to be funded through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP).

The market in Asia Pacific is anticipated to register rapid growth over the assessment period, owing to the rising awareness about the importance of soil inspection and testing, and need to ensure food security. Major economies in the region, including China, India, Japan, and South Korea, are adopting smart agricultural tools and techniques, to boost land productivity.

Growing support from various governments in the region to the farmers, in the form of subsidies and policies, is expected to create opportunities in the market. The need to increase food grain production and other essential agriculture products to meet growing demands, due to the presence of a large population, is supporting the demand for agricultural services in the region.

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