If 2024 proved anything in agtech, it was that the industry is on a major path of transformation. This year saw big moves—acquisitions, partnerships, and a surge in tech like generative AI, precision farming, drones, predictive analysis and many others.
But we’ve still got some major hurdles ahead. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warns that global food production needs to jump by 60% in 2050 to keep up with increasing population. Simply, farming “as usual” won’t cut it.
On the bright side, sustainable practices and next-gen technologies are picking up pace. So, what agri trends will shape 2025? Let’s take a look.
7 AgTech Innovations to Look Out for in 2025
Farmers today face a growing list of challenges, but a few issues stand out due to their widespread impact: pests, soil quality, water management, and weeds. In Africa, access to finance, inputs, and markets further complicate the issues.
The following are seven (7) areas seeing innovations that look to transform how farmers do business in present and in years to come.
1. Generative Artificial Intelligence in AgTech
Among recent big breakthroughs, generative AI often called Gen AI towers as a game-changer for agriculture. The sheer potential of Gen AI reaches across the global economy, and it’s measured not just in millions but in trillions of dollars. Essentially, Gen AI brings an entirely new approach to decision-making and precision in agriculture.
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With Gen AI, farmers and their advisors can more quickly and directly access agronomic data and analysis which enable them to make near-real-time decisions about soil treatments, seed varieties, and market conditions.
Source: PixelPlex
2. Using Digital Twins to Optimise Field Trials
Imagine a digital replica of an entire farm—a “twin” that mimics the actual conditions of the soil, plants, and even the climate. In 2025, the use of digital twins in agriculture will likely gain momentum, and it will offer farmers the power to test and refine their strategies in a virtual environment before implementing them on their farmland.
In September 2024, a groundbreaking project led by plant scientist James Schnable at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln secured nearly $1 million from the National Science Foundation to develop the first-ever digital twin of a cornfield. The virtual model will allow researchers to simulate various conditions, like the impact of different irrigation practices or pest control strategies, to understand how they affect corn yield. Come 2025 and succeeding years, digital twins will help farmers foresee challenges like droughts or disease outbreaks before they hit.
3. Precision Agriculture
The Global Precision Farming Market, valued at USD 8.7 billion in 2022, is projected to grow to USD 21.4 billion by 2030, with a robust annual growth rate of 11.9%.
As of now, only a handful of companies are fully utilising these advancements, but the trend is gaining momentum. Innovations such as farm integration of advanced sensors, drones, and GPS-guided systems, are enabling farmers to gain an unprecedented ability to monitor crop health and soil conditions with incredible accuracy.
By 2025, precision agriculture will play an even more pivotal role in addressing the evolving needs of global farming.
Source: Vecteezy
4. Regenerative Agriculture Practices
Regenerative agriculture is gaining momentum with the growing demand for sustainable farming practices. Advances in agtech are driving this shift, with solutions like precision farming tools, soil health monitoring equipments, and bio-based fertilisers playing a crucial role.
These technologies help restore soil vitality, improve biodiversity, and enhance land productivity, which is vital as conventional farming practices strain resources.
Looking into 2025, we can expect these innovations to be scaled further which will offer farmers more precise and efficient ways to implement regenerative practices and tackle climate challenges head-on.
5. IoT Integration
In fields across the world, IoT integration is making a difference in the way farmers monitor and manage their crops. Devices that track soil conditions, weather patterns, and crop health in real-time
Smart sensors are now being used to optimise irrigation, nutrient management, and pest control which allow for more sustainable practices. As IoT solutions evolve, the potential to improve the agricultural sector becomes even greater. Farmers can efficiently address challenges like land scarcity and weather conditions. Next year, the adoption of IoT in farming is set to accelerate further.
Source: Vecteezy
6. Advanced Crop Genetics
Advanced crop genetics is about creating plants that are more resilient to climate-related challenges. CRISPR technology is helping to develop crops resistant to pests, drought, and extreme weather conditions and with the promise of improving food security.
This genetic innovation focuses on enhancing nutrient-use efficiency, nitrogen fixation, and photosynthesis. In the light of climate change, these genetically engineered crops provides a solution to boost yields and reduce the need for chemical inputs. In 2025, advancements in crop genetics will expand, and thus, enable farmers to adapt more effectively to environmental shifts and sustainable production.
7. Blockchain Technology
In various regions, pilot programs are accelerating the use of blockchain to enhance traceability across food supply chains. As these programs mature, the transparency they provide is making a big difference in food safety. It means that every step from farm to table can be verified and recorded.
Source: City A.M.
The process is accomplished through decentralised ledgers to track produce from its source to final destination. Plus, this integration helps reduce costs by cutting out middlemen and improving efficiency. Speaking of growth, blockchain in agriculture is expected to skyrocket, with the market projected to reach $948 million by 2025.
Wrap Up
As we move toward 2025, these transformative agtech Innovations will continue to reshape farming. However, their true impact will take time. Like any technological shift, it requires long-term evaluation which may span an entire season to actualise its full benefits. Next year, 2025, we expect these innovations to continue scaling and be adopted by farmers across the industry.
