Photonic Technologies for Agriculture
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Photonic Technologies for Agriculture A joint study by
Publisher Idea & Concept
SPECTARIS | www.spectaris.de Mike Bähren, SPECTARIS e. V., Jörg Mayer, SPECTARIS e. V.
Messe München GmbH | www.messe-muenchen.de/en Anke Odouli, Messe München GmbH, Benoît d’Humières,
TEMATYS, Dr. Wenko Süptitz, SPECTARIS e. V.
Design
GDE | Kommunikation gestalten | www.gde.de Editorial
Editorial team manager: Mike Bähren | SPECTARIS e. V.
Photos
Adobe Stock: Cover, pp. 11, 12, 14, 18, 20, 22, 27, 29, 31, Author of the trend report
32, 33, 39, Pixabay: pp. 10, 16, Nynomic - The Photonics Benoît d’Humières, TEMATYS
Group (iStockphoto): pp. 40, 45 (photo on the left),
Nynomic - The Photonics Group: pp. 41-47, Hamamatsu Edition
Photonics Deutschland GmbH: pp. 48-49, Carl Zeiss 1st edition | Berlin/Munich | February 2023
Spectroscopy GmbH: pp. 50-53, Messe München GmbH:
pp. 5, 57, Spectaris: pp. 4, 58, Tematys: pp. 2, 59
Disclaimer
BENOÎT D’HUMIÈRES
The information, data, and calculations in this trend report
were compiled with the greatest care. They are based on
information from the institutions, companies, and other
sources mentioned in this trend report. However, the
parties involved in this report, i.e., Messe München GmbH,
SPECTARIS, and TEMATYS (hereinafter called the “pro-
ject partners”) do not accept any liability for how correct,
complete, and up-to-date this information is. The project
partners have not reviewed the ownership of rights and the ABOUT THE AUTHOR
associated exploitation rights of the institutions and com-
panies mentioned in the study. The project partners do not Benoît d’Humières graduated in Physics and Chem-
assume any guarantee or accept any potentially related lia- istry from the ESPCI Paris – PSL and the Sorbonne
bility. Nevertheless, should the rights of any third parties be University. He is an expert in Optics, Electronics
infringed by the study, this is done without the knowledge and Instrumentation for industrial and research
and intention of the project partners. In the event that such applications.
infringements come to the attention of the project partners,
they will be removed from the study going forward follo- In 1991, after some years of research at the Uni-
wing appropriate consultations with the respective com- versity of Florida, he became an innovation consul-
pany or institute. Despite carefully reviewing the content tant. He has run many marketing and technological
of guest articles, the authors are not responsible for these studies for companies of any size and Research
contributions. The opinions expressed in guest articles do institutions. Benoît has also taught the marketing
not necessarily reflect the opinions of the project partners. of photonic technologies at the Institut d’Optique-
Graduate School (Palaiseau, France).
Prohibited reproduction
TEMATYS is an independent, medium-sized consul-
The trend report may only be copied (in full or in excerpts)
tancy firm which focuses on studies and strategies
and the images contained in the study may only be used
in the areas of optics, photonics, sensor technolo-
with the express approval of the publisher or owner of the
gy, imaging, quantum technology and their applied
relevant picture rights. The results may be published if the
markets.
sources are referenced.
2
Table of contents
FOREWORD BY THE EDITORS
The fourth agricultural revolution has begun
Jörg Mayer // Chief Executive Officer SPECTARIS 4
A giant task – that can be solved with photonics
Dr. Reinhard Pfeiffer // Executive Director Messe München 5
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 6
WHAT IS AT STAKE / AGRICULTURE FACE GREAT CHALLENGES 10
Agriculture faces great challenges 11
The demographic challenge 12
Pressure on land 13
The only way – produce more and better per hectare 14
No evolution of farming without the full participation of farmers 15
PRECISION FARMING IS AN ANSWER TO THE
MAJOR CHALLENGES AHEAD 16
A need for new farming approaches that are more productive and sustainable 17
Precision farming relies mainly on four technology families 17
Every step of the agriculture value chain can be improved
by a precision farming approach 18
Selected applications of precision farming 19
NO PRECISION FARMING WITHOUT PHOTONICS 20
Photonics is the science of harnessing light to benefit humankind 21
Photonics technologies are able to measure complex data at any scale 21
Photonics is a key enabler of EVERY precision farming application 24
MARKET FIGURES 27
Market analysis and forecast 28
Market expectations 30
Outlook31
LANDSCAPE32
Global inventory of companies 33
Brief description of the German landscape 39
Some representative examples 40
Useful definitions and glossary 42
3
FOREWORD OF THE EDITORS
The fourth agricultural
revolution has begun
Jörg Mayer
CEO of the German Industry Association SPECTARIS
Photonics is a jack-of-all-trades. Those of us who work in their users in the agricultural sector well and target them.
the industry know its huge technological possibilities. The technological concept for the new and better solutions
can be summarized under the term precision agriculture,
And In fact, photonics holds the key to solving the challen- which is based on four technology families: robotics and
ges of the 21st century. It can drive technological progress automation technology, imaging and sensors, digitization
in a wide range of areas, such as sustainability, CO2 reduc- and big data analytics, and bioengineering. Photonics con-
tion, healthcare, changes in traffic volumes, autonomous tributes to this by detecting, monitoring, understanding, and
driving, e-mobility, semiconductors, quantum systems, and controlling. And, as you can already guess, none of these
communication. technology areas would be conceivable without photonics.
Numerous solutions already exist, and yet precision agricul-
In all these areas, photonics forms the indispensable basis ture is only in its infancy. The variety of ideas and innova-
for technological progress, without which the major chal- tions is enormous, just like the potentia. Annual growth of
lenges facing society cannot be solved. In this study, we 15 percent is expected in the coming years alone. We hope
would like to shed light on another field: food production. you enjoy reading about an area that will have an impact on
all our lives. We are still talking about the energy revolution,
Given the large number of people worldwide with poor but soon we will be talking about the agricultural revolution.
access to sufficient or good food, there is a great need for
technological solutions that are also sustainable and leave
the paths of conventional agriculture with its immense side
effects on the environment behind.
Photonics does not provide the one technological solu-
tion to this challenge, in the same way that, for example,
improved battery technology was a game changer for
electromobility. Rather, photonics provides building blocks JÖRG MAYER
of technical solutions that make agriculture more precise,
faster and more efficient. Nor is there one user for photo- CEO of the German Industry
nics suppliers to focus on. The target groups are widely Association SPECTARIS
distributed along the agricultural value chain. For each
user target group, it is worthwhile to be on the lookout now
and in the coming years for technological advances that
hold substantial efficiency gains. Conversely, developers
of photonic components and solutions should get to know
4
Photonic Technologies for Agriculture
A giant task – that can be
solved with photonics
Dr. Reinhard Pfeiffer
CEO of Messe München GmbH
In traditional agriculture, farmers knew their farmland executed by highly automated machines in the fields.
inside out. From experience, they knew where weeds Finally, resilient crops will be essential in the face of
sprouted, where plants often withered or where yields were tougher environmental conditions. With high-end
higher. With this knowledge they could manually fertilize, microscopy and analysis equipment, photonics also has
sow, or apply pesticides with high precision. the right solutions up its sleeve here. LASER World of
Photonics 2023 will give you an idea of what solutions
But when it comes to feeding 11 billion people in the future, such as these could look like.
agriculture will have to operate on a completely different
scale. Highly mechanized, with high working widths and Light is the key to feeding the world: in photosynthesis,
high speeds, it will plow, harrow, sow, and fertilize its of course, but also through photonic contributions to the
expanded croplands. Autonomous steering devices and highly productive and sustainable agriculture of the future.
robots will increasingly be used. In livestock farming, too,
the trend is toward automation – be it in cleaning stables,
feeding, or milking. In such highly productive agriculture,
the close relationship with the soil and livestock is inevita-
bly lost. And that is where photonics and its solutions come
into play. Sensor and imaging technologies – mounted on
drones, tractors, or machines – are replacing the watchful
eye of the traditional farmer. They help transfer precision
fertilization, seeding, and crop protection to data-driven
high-performance agriculture.
This study demonstrates the huge potential of photonics
for agriculture and its gigantic task of feeding billions of DR. REINHARD PFEIFFER
people despite climate change. It shows how photonics
helps to increase productivity while using precision farming CEO
methods to manage with less fertilizer and pesticides by Messe München GmbH
only using them where they are really needed. Sustainable
progress in agriculture is also linked to photon-controlled
broadband data networking, which ensures that all cultiva-
tion plans based on sensor and harvest data are optimally
5
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Executive Summary:
Photonic technologies
for agriculture
Agriculture harnesses the wonders of
nature to feed the human population.
Yet 11 percent of humanity was undernourished in feed, is becoming less and less efficient, and the resulting
2021, and 3 billion people could not afford a healt- pollution of the soil by excess inputs is becoming less and
hy diet in 2019. The world’s population is expected less acceptable to society.
to grow from 8 billion people in 2022 to 11 billion in
2100. That represents a 40 percent increase (source: In addition, agriculture must not only dramatically increase
see page 12). Agriculture will not be able to expand yields, but also improve practices to stop soil degradation,
the area under cultivation at the same rate in order to reduce pesticides, maintain biodiversity, reduce green
provide everyone with sufficient food of the highest house gas emissions, and adapt to the effects of global
possible quality. warming.
The agriculture of the future will therefore have to rely on
Agricultural land already accounts for about 37 percent science, technology and the resulting new, innovative agri-
of total land area. Around 33 percent of the world’s soils cultural approaches such as precision farming.
are moderately to severely degraded. Soil erosion carries Precision agriculture is an agricultural management con-
away 20 to 37 billion metric tons of topsoil annually, cept based on observing, measuring, and responding to
reducing crop yields and the soil’s ability to store and variations between and within fields. The goal of precision
distribute carbon, nutrients, and water. The rapid expan- agriculture is to develop technical solutions to optimize
sion of cities into less populated areas further narrows yields from inputs while conserving resources. Precision
the available space. Deforestation is equally harmful, as agriculture also encompasses new agricultural concepts
it threatens biodiversity and increases greenhouse gas such as vertical or urban agriculture, which are also based
concentration in the atmosphere. The supply of more on scientific optimization of growth processes and disease
and more inputs, such as fertilizers, pesticides, or animal and pest control.
6
All four of these critical precision agriculture tech-
nology families are highly dependent on photonic
technologies and solutions. Photonics contributes
through:
Detection,
Monitoring,
Understanding, and
Control.
Photonics provides the most efficient tools for
Precision agriculture is based on four main technology sensing, monitoring, control but also lighting, clea-
families (source: Roland Berger) ning, sanitizing and boost the plant growth.
obotics and automation technology:
R P
hotonic technologies and solutions:
Autonomous work is enabled by automated steering Robots require photonic sensors (cameras, lidars,
technology and high-precision positioning systems, etc.) to move autonomously, explore their environ-
as well as by integrated electronic communication ment, make decisions, and perform their tasks.
systems.
I mage processing and sensors: I magery and sensors:
Data for assessing soil and crop health, etc. are Imaging is the recording of light, so all imaging
collected via sensors, remote sensing systems, and is inherently photonic. Photonics is the only way
geo-mapping. to perform advanced analysis without contact.
Most sensors for disease detection, soil and water
analysis, crop and fruit quality, etc. are based on
photonics.
igitization and big data analytics:
D D
igitization and big data analytics:
Data is analyzed to improve climate and soil forecas- Fiber optics are the backbone of telecommunica-
ting, equipment performance optimization, and remote tions networks. Transceivers, those components
control in field monitoring. that convert light into electricity and vice versa, are
critical to the performance of data centers.
B
ioengineering: ioengineering:
B
Seeds and chemicals are selected based on external Bioengineering research relies heavily on micro-
conditions and seed development to improve scopy techniques. Genetics would not be possible
resistance to specific agricultural and/or climatic without PCR analysis read by photonic techno-
conditions. logies.
Phenotyping is based on advanced imaging.
Almost all instruments used in science are based
on photonics.
7
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Collect and map Adjust chemical
Centimeter Develop new
data using sensors inputs based on
accuracy when varieties adapted Adapt and choose
mounted on moving plant health and
driving and to climate change, seeds/chemical
machines growth monitoring.
machining which require fewer inputs based on soil
(moisture, nu- Also adjust inputs
(GPS positioning, inputs or are more property analysis.
trients, compaction, with centimeter
GNSS, LIDARS, etc.) productive.
crop diseases) accuracy
Robotic weeding Optimize
and pest control lighting, reduce
as an alternative to energy
chemicals consumption
Reduce famer’s Photonics is a key
Optimize produc-
workload through
enabler of EVERY tivity of greenhou-
robotics and
ses and vertical
autonomous precision farming
farming
machining
application
Help decision
making with
Minimize irrigation
handheld and low-
needs and water
cost sensors, equip-
consumption
ment and/or
smartphone apps
Share data and
alerts with other
Evaluate crop
agriculture stake-
quality, sort crop Optimize and Provide accurate
holders (neigh Monitor livestock
by quality standard, monitor livestock and local weather
boring farmers, wellbeing
remove unwanted growth forecasts
cooperatives,
particles, etc.
banks, inputs, and
seed suppliers etc.)
8
Photonic Technologies for Agriculture
The global market for photonics for precision agriculture advent of LEDs, lighting a greenhouse is not only more
is currently worth around 4.6 billion euros and is expected energy efficient and saves a lot of CO2 emissions, it is
to virtually double by 2027 to a value of 9.1 billion euros. now also possible to adjust the wavelength of the light-
This corresponds to annual growth of around 15 percent. ing to provide exactly the light that the plants need and
promote their growth.
Lighting and UV disinfection still account for the largest
share, but many other emerging technologies and fields of UV disinfection is currently the second largest market.
application have enormous potential. Disinfected water is needed in agriculture, breeding, dairy
production, nurseries, soil-less production, hydroponics/
Lighting includes greenhouse lighting and new types of aeroponics, disinfection of drain backwaters, and re-
agriculture such as vertical or urban farming. With the processing of nutrient solutions, or simply for irrigation.
But UV can do even more:
recent studies have shown
Global market forecast that irradiating crops with
EUR million UV-C boosts plant immuni-
10,000 9,071 ty and significantly reduces
TOTAL
the need for chemicals to
5,933
Horticulture and greenhouse illumination control pests and diseases.
This is still a very young
but promising market.
2,231 Other opportunities for
UV disinfection
photonics in agriculture
include imaging systems,
either permanently instal-
1,000
led or built into drones or
robots, that can monitor
crop growth, animal wel
342 fare and disease detection.
Analytical
A more traditional but still
146 important market is all
Refractometers
112 instrumentation for
Handheld and on-field system (spectroscopy)
100 Drone imaging, on-field and in-line imaging monitoring, disease
106 (RGB cameras)
hyperspectral + multispectral diagnosis, quality assess-
72 ment and control, and
sanitation testing. Equip-
ment that was once only
used in laboratories is be-
19
UV on-field/in-line coming more miniaturized
and can now be handheld
or attached to tractors and
10
machinery for precision
2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027
agriculture in the field.
9
WHAT IS AT STAKE
What is at stake
Agriculture faces
great challenges
Agriculture faces great challenges 11
The demographic challenge 12
Pressure on land 13
The only way – produce more and better per hectare 14
No evolution of farming without the full participation of farmers 15
10Photonic Technologies for Agriculture
Agriculture faces
great challenges
The challenges ahead
Agriculture exploits of the wonders of nature to feed hu-
mans and domesticated animals. However, 11 percent of D
emographics / feeding the world
the world‘s population was undernourished in 2021, and the
total number of people on the planet is expected to grow E
nd undernourishment and improve
from 7.87 billion in 2021 to around 11 billion in 2100 – an access to high quality food
increase of 40 percent (source: see page 12). It will not be S
top land degradation
possible to make additional land available to agriculture to
R
educe pesticide use
match this population growth. As a result, feeding everyone
will become a major challenge. The expansion of cities and R
educe but also adapt to global
urban areas is putting significant pressure on some warming impact
regions, and deforestation is not an option as it threatens R
educe GHG emissions
biodiversity and increases greenhouse gas emissions.
But that is not all: while its yields have to increase drama-
tically, agriculture must also improve its practices: stop
land degradation, preserve diversity, reduce pesticide use,
reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and adapt to the effects The solutions
of global warming.
C
onduct scientific, economic, and social
In order to face these great challenges, agriculture needs to studies to understand the challenges
dramatically improve the governance and management of ahead and develop solutions
resources: land, water, ocean, fish, forests, etc. but also
biodiversity, especially insects and birds which are vital
for pollination. But these objectives will not be easy to D
evelop new farming approaches
achieve. A lot of scientific, economic, and social studies and technologies that are
will be needed to improve current agricultural practices. • Science-based
And any recommendation as well as their implementation
should take into account local farmers, their traditions, • Respectful of traditions, habits,
habits, social organization, ancestral knowledge of their social organization, ancestral
own land, agricultural practices and investment capacity. agricultural practices, and
In other words, the agriculture of the future will rely on knowledge of local population
science and technologies, as well as new and innovative • Compatible with farmers’ investment
approaches to farming, such as precision farming. But capacity
greater use of science-based methods and the adoption
of more advanced technologies cannot be implemented
unless farmers accept and play a part in these changes. S
upport the adoption of new farming
Farmers are the most important stakeholders in the value approaches and practices
chain, and extensive education and training programs will T
rain and educate farmers
be necessary in order to allow farmers to be proactive
partners join the agriculture revolution ahead.
11WHAT IS AT STAKE
The demographic challenge
13
12
MEDIUM VARIENT
11
10
TOTAL POPULATION (BILLIONS)
9
8
7
6
95 % PREDICTION INTERVAL
5
4
3
2
YEAR 1950 1975 2000 2025 2050 2075 2100
Total population 7027 million
not undernourished
13
12
MEDIUM VARIENT
11
10
TOTAL POPULATION (BILLIONS)
9
8
7
6
95 % PREDICTION INTERVAL
768
5
AFRICA
million
4
3
282 million undernourished
2 ASIA
1950 1975 2000 2025 2050 2075 2100
OCEANIA
418
3
YEAR million
million
million 7027 NORTHERN AMERICA
LATIN AMERICA
AND THE CARRIBEAN
60
T
henot
world’s population is expected to grow from
undernourished AND EUROPE
7.87 billion in 2021 to around 11 billion in 2100, n.r. million
i.e., an increase of 40%.
Notes: Number of undernourished in millions. Projected values based
In 2019, 11 percent of humankind were undernourished on the middle of the projected range.
n.r. = not reported, as the prevalence is less than 2.5 percent.
and 3 billion people were unable to afford a healthy diet. Source: FAO
United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2019). World Population Prospects 2019, Volume II: Demographic Profiles (ST/
ESA/SER.A/427).FAO. 2021. La Situation mondiale de l’alimentation et de l’agriculture. Rendre les systèmes agroalimentaires plus résilients face aux chocs et aux
AFRICA
situations de stress. Rome, FAO. https://doi.org/10.4060/cb4476fr
768 million
282 million undernourished
12
ASIAPhotonic Technologies for Agriculture
Pressure on land
A
gricultural land accounts for 36.9 percent A
long with anthropogenic degradation, climate
of all land. change is putting more pressure on agricultural
land and leading to its deterioration.
U
rban areas occupied less than 0.5 percent of
the Earth’s land surface in 2000. However, urban S
oil erosion carries away 20 to 37 billion metric
areas more than doubled in the period from 1992 tons of topsoil annually, reducing crop yields and
to 2016 (+ 127 percent). the soil’s ability to store and distribute carbon,
nutrients, and water. Annual cereal production
T
he rapid growth of cities has had a significant
losses due to erosion are estimated at 7.6 million
impact on land and water resources, encroaching
tons.
on good agricultural land, especially that used
for horticulture. lobally, agriculture accounts for 72 percent of
G
all surface and groundwater withdrawals, which
S
ome 33 percent of the worlds soil is moderately
are mainly for irrigation.
to highly degraded.
Land-degradation classes for global land cover, 2015
Land Cover Total area Degradation Deterioration Stable Degraded Deteriorated Stable
(million ha) (million ha) (million ha) (million ha) (%) (%) (%)
Cropland 1527 479 268 780 31 18 51
Rainfed 1212 340 212 660 28 17 54
Irrigated 315 139 57 120 44 18 38
Grassland 1910 246 642 1022 13 34 54
Trees 4335 485 1462 2388 11 34 55
Shrubs 1438 218 584 636 15 41 44
Herbs 203 16 51 136 8 25 67
Sparse 1034 85 499 450 8 48 44
vegetation
Protected area 880 76 361 443 9 41 50
Note: The term degradation refers to high pressures from anthropogenic drivers.
All other declines in biophysical status are defined as deterioration.
FAO. 2021. The State of the World’s Land and Water Resources for Food and Agriculture – Systems at breaking point.
Synthesis report 2021. Rome. https://doi.org/10.4060/cb7654en ingxu Huang et al 2020 Environ. Res. Lett. 15 084037, https://doi.
org/10.1088/1748-9326/ab858c
13WHAT IS AT STAKE
The only way – produce
more and better per hectare
F
or a long time, agriculture was able to feed the world by
cultivating more land and increasing inputs, fertilizers, Total output and factor productivity growth in
world agriculture
and the use of pesticides.
3.0
B
ut it began to reach its limits in the 1980s. The addition
TOTAL OUTPUT GROWTH (PERCENT/YEAR)
of more and more inputs has now become less efficient 2.5
and the resulting pollution caused by excess inputs in
soil is giving cause for concern and becoming less 2.0
acceptable.
1.5
S
ince the 1990s, the only way to increase agriculture’s
productivity is to improve “total factor productivity”, in 1.0
other words, produce more and better per hectare:
0.5
• Improve farming practices
• Take in account the local soil and climate
0.0
when choosing crop varieties 1961– 1971– 1981– 1991– 2001–
• Monitor crop growth 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010
• Detect diseases and pests early Expansion of agricultural land
Extension irrigation to cropland
• Optimize the use of inputs (e.g. fertilizer and water) More inputs per acre
• Invest in adapted machinery Improvements in total factor productivity
• etc. Source: USDA 2021
FAO. 2021. The State of the World’s Land and Water Resources for Food and Agriculture – Systems at breaking point. Synthesis report 2021.
Rome. https://doi.org/10.4060/cb7654en
14No evolution of farming
Photonic Technologies for Agriculture
without the full participation of farmers
F
armers are the key stakeholders for better agriculture In other countries, especially in Asia, most farms are much
productivity. Their participation and acceptance are smaller (see India below). Those countries, which contain
critical. They will not adopt new approaches unless the vast majority of the world‘s farmers, face the following
they can expect an improvement in their conditions, i.e., huge challenges:
better revenue, reduced effort, better resilience to climate
• Increasing the education level of farmers
hazards, etc.
•P
roviding them with accessible technologies that will
B
ut all farmers are not the same. In high-income count-
improve their productivity significantly
ries, farms are becoming larger and larger as the number
of farmers is decreasing (see Germany profile below). • Supporting their financial and investment capacity.
Number of farms by field size
Germany (2013) India (2016)
1%
28% 25%
47% 99%
< 10 ha 10 – 49.9 ha > 50 ha < 10 ha > 10 ha
Average agricultural area of farms
Germany (2013) India (2016)
8%
2%
21%
77%
92%
< 10 ha 10 – 49.9 ha > 50 ha < 10 ha > 10 ha
15PRECISION FARMING
Precision farming
is an answer to the major
challenges ahead
A need for new farming approaches
that are more productive and sustainable 17
Precision farming relies mainly on four technology families 17
Every step of the agriculture value chain can be improved
by a precision farming approach 18
Selected applications of precision farming 19
16Photonic Technologies for Agriculture
A need for new Precision farming
farming approaches relies mainly on
that are more pro- four technology
ductive and families
sustainable
A
revolution in agriculture is ahead. New farming approa- The precision farming approach is valuable at every
ches and technologies are necessary to improve produc- step of each agriculture production value chain. Ac-
tivity and preserve land and biodiversity. They must be: cording to Roland Berger, the success of precision
farming relies mainly on four technology families:
• Science-based
• Respectful of traditions, habits, social organization,
ancestral agricultural practices, and knowledge of local Robotics and automation technology:
population
Autonomous operations are enabled by automated
steering technology and high-precision positioning
• Compatible with farmers’ investment capacity.
systems as well as integrated electronic communi-
P
recision agriculture is a farming management concept cation systems
based on observing, measuring, and responding to inter-
and intra-field variability in crops. The goal of precision
agriculture is to build technical solutions with the goal of Imagery and sensors:
optimizing returns on inputs while preserving resources. Data for evaluation purposes of soil and crop
health, etc. is collected via sensors, remote sensing
P
recision farming is well suited to large-scale
systems, and geo-mapping
production, but is not limited to it. In Asia, where the ma-
jority of farms are small, precision farming approaches
will have to be adapted.
Digitization and big data analysis:
P
recision farming is compatible with organic approaches Data is analyzed in order to improve climate and
as they need to understand plant growth processes, di- soil predictions, performance optimization of equip-
seases, and pest development from a scientific perspec- ment, as well as remote control in field monitoring
tive and to evaluate the efficiency of organic practices.
P
recision farming also includes new farming concepts
Bioengineering:
such as vertical or urban farming, which also rely on
Seeds and chemicals are selected based on exter-
scientific optimization of growing processes and on
nal conditions and evolution of seeds to enforce re-
disease and pest management.
sistance to specific farm and/or climate conditions
nd all these families could simply not
A
exist without photonics!
17PRECISION FARMING
Every step of the agriculture value chain can
be improved by a precision farming approach
Strategic control points along a typical agricultural value chain (source: Roland Berger)
Distribution/
Input supply Production Post-harvest Processing
marketing
Required Fleet Land Storage Food processing Commercialization
machinery distribution preparation
Preventive Fleet rental Planting Transportation Food packaging Supply chain
maintenance management
Remote Fleet Irrigation Food pricing Food transportation Food marketing
diagnosis management End
customers
Required Input supply Fertilization Food branding Food traceability Online shipping
seed (e.g. fertilizer)
Seed Soil analysis Field monitoring Commodity Supply source
transformation trading management
Climate Insurance Harvesting Insurance
prediction (weather) Not part of precision farming
Data analytics Remote sensing Transportation Infrastructure
(big data) investment
Satellite/drone Education/ Storage
mapping training
P
recision farming is not just about putting
“Business opportunities in Precision Farming:
will big data feed the world in the future?”, fancy sensors on a tractor.
Roland Berger Strategy Consultants GmbH, 2015
T
he precision farming approach is valuable
at every step of each agriculture production
value chain.
18Photonic Technologies for Agriculture
Selected applications
of precision farming
Collect and map Adjust chemical
Centimeter Develop new plant
data using sensors inputs based on
accuracy when species adapted Adapt and choose
mounted on moving plant health and
driving and to climate change, seeds/chemical
machines growth monitoring.
machining which require fewer inputs based on soil
(moisture, nutrients, Also adjust inputs
(GPS positioning, inputs or are more property analysis.
compaction, crop with centimeter
GNSS, LIDARS, etc.) productive.
diseases) accuracy
Robotic weeding Optimize
and pest control lighting, reduce
as an alternative to energy
chemicals consumption
Reduce famers’ Photonics is a key
Optimize produc-
workload through
enabler of EVERY tivity of greenhou-
robotics and
ses and vertical
autonomous precision farming
farming
machining
application
Help decision
making with
Minimize irrigation
handheld and low-
needs and water
cost sensors, equip-
consumption
ment and/or
smartphone apps
Share data and
alerts with other
Evaluate crop
agriculture stake-
quality, sort crop Optimize and Provide accurate
holders (neighboring Monitor livestock
by quality standard, monitor livestock and local weather
farmers, wellbeing
remove unwanted growth forecasts
cooperatives, banks,
particles, etc.
inputs, and seed
suppliers, etc.))
19PHOTONICS
No precision farming
without photonics
Photonics is the science of harnessing light to benefit humankind 21
Photonics technologies are able to measure complex data at any scale 21
Photonics is a key enabler of EVERY precision farming application 24
20Photonic Technologies for Agriculture
Photonics is the science
of harnessing light to benefit humankind
Photonics is the science of harnessing light to benefit Imaging and sensors:
humankind. Behind this definition lies a wide range of Imaging is the recording of light, so all imaging is inhe-
applications. Light is fast, precise, and clean – three unique rently photonic. Photonics is the only way to perform
properties that make photonics a critical technology when advanced analysis without contact. Most sensors for
it comes to tackling the major challenges ahead. disease detection, soil and water analysis, crop and fruit
quality, etc. are based on photonics.
All four critical technology families of precision farming D
igitization and big data analysis:
are significantly dependent on photonic technologies and Fiber optics are the backbone of telecommunications
solutions: networks. Transceivers, those components that convert
light into electricity and vice versa, are critical to the per-
R
obotics and automation technology formance of data centers.
Robots need photonic sensors (cameras, lidars, etc.) to
ioengineering:
B
move autonomously, explore their environment, make
Bioengineering/Biotechnology research relies heavily on
decisions, and perform their tasks.
microscopy techniques. Genetics would not be possible
without PCR analysis read by photonic technologies.
Phenotyping is based on advanced imaging. Almost all
instruments used in science are based on photonics.
Photonics technologies are able
to measure complex data at any scale
Photonics technologies are able to measure complex data at any scale, from the atom to the entire planet.
They are a unique asset that help us understand and overcome the environmental challenges agriculture is facing.
Observation radius
PLANET TERRITORY FIELD POINT-OF-USE LABORATORY ON CHIP OR AT LAB
1,000 km 1–100 km 1–1,000 m 1–100 m 0.1–100 cm 103–100
Atmosphere Mapping Agriculture Agriculture Chemical analysis Surface analysis
Wind Floods Livestock Forestry Soil, water analysis Microscopy
Ocean Wildfires Thermal efficiency Soil Pollution Advanced biological
Biosphere Pollution Forestry River water In vitro/in vivo analysis
Meteorology Earthquakes Wildlife Potable water diagnostics In vitro diagnostics
Desertification Agriculture Erosion Waste management Fungi, bacteria, virus
Solar irradiation Urbanization Subsoil Thermal efficiency Pollen
Climate change Erosion/seashore Rivers Air quality
21PHOTONICS
Photonics technologies are
able to measure complex data at any scale
T
oday, agricultural innovation is very demanding because W
eather alerts, climate change, and desertification
it is no longer possible to focus on the basic parameters processes are phenomena that must be monitored and
used in the past, such as water, nitrates, and phosphates studied on even wider scale.
in soil, and local weather. All ecosystems must be taken
P
hotonics technologies are able to measure complex
into account.
data at any scale, from the atom to the entire planet.
E
rosion, local wind, insolation of fields, water availability, They are a unique asset that help us understand and
and local biodiversity need to be understood and overcome the environmental challenges humankind is
preserved. facing. At a global or local level, satellite and aerial ima-
ging will be the only way to perform precise
T
he soil, which is made up of minerals, vegetal matter,
measurements over large areas.
animals, fungi, and bacteria, is a complex ecosystem
by itself and also depends on its coverage (e.g., grass A
t field level, drone imaging, tractor-embedded photonic
between fruit trees or vine stocks), the subsoil underne- sensors, and miniaturized point-of-use instruments are
ath, wind and water erosion, as well as a wide variety of becoming available and are being used increasingly by
natural inputs that sometimes come from very far away. pioneers of precision agriculture.
Sand particles from the Sahara Desert travel all over the
L
ast but not least, laboratory research is still a major
Mediterranean and regularly reach Paris. Even the soil of
tool for developing new approaches for agriculture. And
your garden is an interconnected ecosystem.
almost every instrument used for research on biology,
As
a consequence, other crops grown in fields are equally zoology, botanical science, agronomy, etc. are
critical. If a pest or disease appears in one field, it will photonics-based, such as advanced microscopes and
probably spread to other fields where the same crop is imaging cameras, spectrometers, or all fluorescence-
grown. Then the entire area must be monitored, not just based instruments.
the field in question.
22Photonic Technologies for Agriculture
Photonic technologies and solutions: Photonics is a key enabler of EVERY precision farming application
Adapt and choose
Develop new seeds/chemical Adjust chemical in-
Collect and map
Advanced varieties inputs based on soil puts with centime-
data
positioning property analysis. ter accuracy
Microscopes, Microscopes,
Imaging systems,
Cameras, LIDARS, spectrometers, spectrometers, Cameras, imaging
cameras, spectro-
3D sensors … fluorescence de- refractometers, systems, LIDARS,
meters, spectral
tection, laboratory fluorescence spectrometers,
sensors
instrumentation detection, spectral sensors
instrumentation
Optimize
lighting, reduce
Robotic weeding energy
and pest control consumption
Cameras, LIDARS, Advanced
spectrometers, 3D lighting,
sensors … spectral
sensors
Optimize produc-
tivity of greenhou-
Robotics and Photonics is a key ses and vertical
autonomous
farming
machining enabler of EVERY
Advanced light-
Cameras, LIDARS,
spectrometers, 3D
precision farming ing, imaging,
cameras, spec-
sensors …
application troscopy, spectral
sensing
Minimize irrigation
Handheld and low-
needs and water
cost equipment
consumption
Refractometers,
Imaging systems,
spectrometers,
cameras, UV
spectral sensing …
lighting
Evaluate crop
Share data and quality, sort crop Optimize and moni-
Provide accurate
alerts with other by quality standard, Monitor livestock tor livestock growth
and local weather
agriculture stake- remove unwanted wellbeing
forecasts
holders particles, etc. Imaging systems,
Imaging systems, spectrometers,
Satellite imaging,
Fiber optics (tele- Imaging systems, spectrometers, spectral sensors
LIDARS
com), transceivers spectrometers, spectral sensors
(data centers) … spectral sensors
23PHOTONICS
Photonics is a key enabler of
EVERY precision farming application
T
he extreme versatility of photonic U
V sanitizing equipment cleans
technologies and their efficiency water obtained from greenhouses
at any scale make them a critical and recycles it for further
enabler of every precision farming watering.
application.
O
ther UV-based equipment sanitizes
In many of the precision activities activated sludge and transforms it
described on the previous page, into fertilizer unless the sludge is
photonic technologies will measure use to produce biogas in processes
and/or monitor the weather, plant monitored by photonic sensors.
growth, soil quality, the need for
R
ecently, it was also demonstrated
water or fertilizer, the appearance
that UV flashes of certain crops,
of a crop disease or pest, the well-
when applied at the right time,
being of animals, etc. However
stimulate plant immunity and
photonics can do much more.
decrease significantly the need for
B
efore the science of harnessing pest control chemicals.
light was known as photonics,
A
nother contribution of precision
greenhouses had been using solar
farming is less visible. Precision
light for a long time to collect heat
farming generates high volumes of
and grow plants where and when it
digital data which have to be
was too cold to do so in fields.
transferred and shared through
N
ow, advanced lighting systems fiber-optic telecommunication
accelerate growth in greenhouses networks, before being processed
or vertical farming facilities even by computers and data centers. The
further thanks to optimized insula- photon and the electron are the twin
tion of plants. particles of the digital world, and the
challenge of precision farming is to
3
D and LIDAR sensors, along with
digitalize agriculture to make it more
cameras, enable self-driving ma-
efficient and sustainable.
chines that interact with the crop
with centimeter precision.
24Photonic Technologies for Agriculture
Photonics is a critical
enabler of precision farming
The following tables set out the photonic techniques which are regarded as critical enablers for more efficient and sus-
tainable agriculture. But before being widely adopted in agriculture, photonics faces four major challenges that must be
addressed with a realistic and humble approach:
1. A meeting of two worlds. 3. Easy to use is the key.
The photonics community shows great creativity
The third challenge is to develop advanced equipment
when developing solutions, but photonics engineers
that comprises high-tech components, but is easy to
are not farmers, and farmers and agronomists are not
use by end-users with no physics background.
physicists. This means that in-depth consultation and
This is a huge challenge since dealing with living
a degree of translation are needed to understand the
matter means dealing with complexity. However, it is
complexity of growing crops or livestock and translate
the responsibility of technology providers to tackle the
this knowledge into appropriate photonics parameters.
difficulties.
2. Crops and livestock are incredibly diverse.
4. Many farmers have a limited investment capacity.
There are more than 10,000 varieties of apples, over
It has been seen previously that there are huge farms
8,000 varieties of tomatoes, and more than 800 far-
which can afford to invest in innovative tools, but also
med races of cows! Each variety of crop or animal race
a large number of small farms with much less reve-
has its specific shape, size, colour, physiology, disea-
nue. Bigger farms are and will be the early adopters,
se, and pest. Each variety of crop or animal race has
not only because of their investment capacity but also
adapted to a specific climate and land. Each of them
because they usually have a better technical back-
will produce or be suitable for a specific food. In other
ground. But in long term, all farms, even the small
words, the challenge is not only to develop photonic
ones, should have access to more advanced techno-
sensors or equipment, but also to make these
logies that will provide them with better revenue while
photonic sensors or equipment sufficiently versatile
respecting their traditions. Feeding the global popula-
to be useful and efficient whatever the varieties used
tion and addressing the sustainability challenges are
and by adjusting the operating parameters by soft-
at stake.
ware. This way, the same hardware can be used on a
sufficiently large scale and be produced at an accepta-
ble cost.
It will take time for these two worlds to come together. But there is no doubt that a bright future lies ahead as more and
more photonics companies and start-ups enter the agriculture market. In addition to the interaction of these players with
agriculture experts, artificial intelligence and deep learning will bring new ways to significantly accelerate the translation of
agricultural requirements into physical parameters to be handled by photonics sensors and instruments.
25PHOTONICS
Photonics is a critical enabler of precision farming
The table set out the photonics technologies available for enabling precision farming, but also throughout the value chain,
from farm to fork.
Markets Functions Technologies
Agriculture & V
arietal innovation, 3
D laser scan, active and passive hyperspectral active
agro-equipment adaptation of plants to and passive imaging, terahertz imaging and spectroscopy
climates and soils (phe- (hydration sensing), thermal imaging (evapotranspiration),
notyping), plant protec- NIR-MIR and Raman spectroscopy, high-resolution
tion, biocontrol machine vision
S
ystems and manage- C
MOS and CCD cameras, NIR and UV handheld spec-
ment of field crops and troscopy, multispectral and hyperspectral cameras, UV
vines, including agricultu- lighting, biosensors
ral machinery / robotics V
IS-NIR-SWIR-MIR imaging, SWIR sensors, high resolu-
R
emote sensing and spa- tion satellite imaging, anemometer
tial information systems U
VC flashing for chemical reduction
Agriculture in G
reenhouses, Vertical L
ED lighting (UV-B and Vis), fiber-optic solar lighting,
green houses farm, Urban farms fiber-optic sensing, various spectroscopic devices, holo-
and off-field A
t home greenhouse graphic and interferometric measurement (fish farms)
Breeding and Feed, additives, nutrition S
pectroscopy (handheld, on-line)
aquaculture Precision breeding C
MOS cameras, high-speed cameras (biomechanics,
Vision, Stereovision)
Diagnostic, veterinary
Biosensors (SPR, PIC)
drugs
3D imaging, UV lighting, spectroscopy
Slaughterhouse
H
olographic and other interferometric devices
Fish farms
Food industry A
t-line & On-line control Infrared spectroscopy (SWIR & MWIR), hyperspectral tera-
R
apid microbiology met- hertz and Raman imaging, Cytometry, PIC, laser scanning,
hods (detection, identifi- plenoptic imaging, Refractometers
cation, characterization of ytometry, plasmonic devices, spectroscopy (Raman, SPR),
C
particles below 10µm) non-conventional imaging (holographic, speckle), PIC
D
etection of foreign bodies Machine vision, X-rays, terahertz imaging
Retail resentation of food pro-
P LED lighting, RGB imaging, hyperspectral and SWIR imaging
ducts at the point of sale Embedded micro spectroscopy
(freshness, ripeness)
26Photonic Technologies for Agriculture
Market figures
and forecast
Market analysis and forecast 28
Market expectations 30
Market outlook 31
27MARKET FIGURES
Market analysis and forecast
T
he largest market for agricultural photonics is the illumi- R
efractometers are also a significant and established
nation of greenhouses and new types of agriculture such market mainly dedicated to wine making and alcoholic
as vertical or urban farming. With the advent of LEDs, beverage production for the control and prediction of
lighting a greenhouse is not only more energy efficient alcohol through the measurement of sugar in the grape.
and saves a lot of CO2 emissions, it is now also possible
O
ther opportunities for photonics in agriculture are ima-
to adjust the wavelength of the lighting to provide exactly
ging systems, which are fixed or embedded in drones or
the light that the plants need and promote their growth.
robots and can monitor the growth of crops, the well-
U
V disinfection is the second largest market. Disinfected being of animals, as well as detect diseases.
water is needed in agriculture, breeding, dairy production,
A
more traditional but still crucial market is all the inst-
nurseries, soil-less production, hydroponics/aeroponics,
rumentation used for monitoring, disease diagnostics,
disinfection of drain backwaters, and reprocessing of
quality assessment and control, as well as sanitary tests.
nutrient solutions, or simply for irrigation. But UV can do
Equipment that was previously used only in laboratories
even more: recent studies have shown that irradiating
is becoming more and more miniaturized and can be
crops with UV-C boosts plant immunity and significantly
now handheld or fitted onto tractors and machines in
reduces the need for chemicals to control pests and
order to bring precision farming to the field.
diseases. This is still a very young but promising market.
Global market forecast (EUR million)
Family Technology 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 CAGR CAGR
(2022- (2026-
2025) 2027)
UV UV disinfection 1,158.9 1,321.2 1,506.2 1,717.0 1,957.4 2,231.5 14% 14%
processing
UV on-field/in-line 11.7 12.6 13.6 14.7 16.9 19.4 8% 15%
Imaging hyperspectral + 18.2 24.0 31.7 41.9 55.3 72.9 32% 32%
multispectral
Drone imaging, 39.3 47.9 58.5 71.4 87.0 106.2 22% 22%
on-field and
in-line imaging
(RGB cameras)
Measurement Refractometers 111.5 117.8 124.4 131.3 138.7 146.4 6% 6%
&
Analytical 233.3 251.9 272.1 293.9 317.4 342.8 8% 8%
spectroscopy
Handheld and 47.2 56.1 66.8 79.5 94.6 112.6 19% 19%
on-field systems
(spectroscopy)
Other 52.9 60.8 70.0 80.5 92.5 106.4 15% 15%
Illumination Horticulture 2,950.0 3,392.5 3,901.4 4,486.6 5,159.6 5,933.5 15% 15%
and greenhouse
illumination
Total 4,623.0 5,284.9 6,044.6 6,916.7 7,919.4 9,071.7 14% 15%
28Photonic Technologies for Agriculture
Global market forecast
EUR million
10,000 9,071
TOTAL
5,933
Horticulture and greenhouse illumination
2,231
UV disinfection
1,000
342
Analytical
146
Refractometers
112
Handheld and on-field system (spectroscopy)
100 Drone imaging, on-field and in-line imaging
106 (RGB cameras)
hyperspectral + multispectral
72
19
UV on-field/in-line
10
2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027
29MARKET FIGURES
Market expectations Challenges of farms
Lighting and disinfection markets: improve the ROI. etect risks at an early stage: Weather, water,
D
In the biggest and more established lighting and UV diseases, pests… Monitoring the evolution of the
disinfection markets, expectations are associated with risk when it has occurred, recommending
efficiency, energy saving, reliability and maintainability remedial actions, etc.
for a better return on investment.
ave time and increase productivity. Automating
S
In the lighting segment, adjusting the illumination repetitive and time-consuming tasks and reducing
spectra as well as the illumination cycles and personal- effort.
izing them to each specific crop are expected to boost
Bring flexibility. Many farmers grow several crops
growth while saving energy. LED lighting enables this
in order to diversify their revenue and maintain the
fine-tuning, but engineers need recommendations from
soil quality of their land. They may also change
agronomists in order to know what is best for each
the crop species or variety to adapt to the climate
plant throughout its growing cycle.
or the market demand. Photonic tools are a
profitable investment, but also a significant
one. This is why these tools have to be versatile
Analytical and emerging markets: save time, reduce
enough. This means using the same hardware
uncertainty and make life simpler. Farming is a very
platform as much as possible and adapting it
complex activity. You have to cope with the complexity of
through software.
living material and ecosystems: crops or the animals being
bred, soil, weather, water, diseases and pests. Success in ptimize the use of inputs. Save money, protect
O
farming depends on care and know-how. But today, above the environment, and be more sustainable.
and beyond these ancestral difficulties, farmers have to
Facilitate traceability. Guarantee safety and quali-
deal with many more constraints and risks: traceability,
ty for all stakeholders, reduce administrative work.
safety, regulations, administrative and paper work, finan-
ce, markets price volatility, availability and price of inputs,
Estimate the quality grade of the crop. Give an
pressure on prices by the agrofood and retail sector, and early estimate of the selling price, anticipate the
now demands and requirements regarding the environment revenue, detect fraud and unfair competition.
and climate. Any innovation entering the agriculture market uild standardized solutions, especially
B
should propose a solution that will address some of these regarding farming data. Farmers use their
problems. farming data for many purposes: farming
optimization, sanitary control, negotiations with
their clients, administrative declarations, insurance
and bank loan negotiations… They need to control
their data and be free to choose their tools.
.
30Photonic Technologies for Agriculture
Outlook
H
owever, the use of AI and deep learning might accelera- F
or the coming years, bigger farms are and will be the
te the growth of the market: early adopters, not only because of their investment
capacity but also because they usually have a better
•D
eep learning is very suitable for dealing with complex
technical background. However, in the long term, all
problems such as growing crops, where you have to
farms, even the smallest ones, should have access to
take so many parameters into account (water, weather,
more advanced technologies that will provide them with
soil, inputs, diseases and pests, etc.) and do not have all
better revenue while respecting their traditions. And
the equations for simulating all the ecosystem interac-
it is probable that the way to spread their use will be
tions.
to develop simple but efficient portable tools, such as
•R
ather than requiring a full scientific understanding of refractometers in wine making, or to create professional
the optimum growth parameters of a crop, the training mobile applications that will exploit very low-cost integra-
for deep learning approaches is quicker and requires ted sensors (spectral sensors, cameras…) embedded in
less effort. It will then be easier and less costly to adapt consumer devices such as smartphones.
a system to a specific crop, animal race, or just a local
context.
A
s a consequence, the combination of versatile hardware
and AI-based software might be a good strategy to deve-
lop photonics-based products that could be less costly
to manufacture, thanks to bigger scales, and less costly
to personalize to each specific need, thanks to a deep
learning approach.
31LANDSCAPE
Landscape
Global inventory of companies 33
Company list 34
Refractometer manufacturers 38
Brief description of the German landscape 39
Some representative examples
32Photonic Technologies for Agriculture
Global inventory of companies
The following tables show a list of photonics com- Component manufacturers:
panies that claim to be active in the agriculture Many photonics-based systems used in agriculture
markets. Most of the companies listed are deve- embed generic photonics components such as
loping hardware, either photonics components or cameras, hyperspectral cameras, sensors, LIDARs,
photonics-based solutions or systems. spectrometers, etc. that can be used for other
applications. But this inventory is based on corpo-
Some only provide software dedicated to the rate internet communication. Only components
processing of data obtained through photonics. manufacturers which clearly claim their activity in
The list is focused on photonics technologies. the agriculture market are listed even it is mostly
Companies providing general software for farm probable that some others sell components to
management are not listed, or if they are listed it is agriculture systems integrators.
because they also develop photonics technologies
(such as sensors).
Refractometer manufacturers are provided in a
separate list. Only handheld and portable digital
refractometers are shown.
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