Global Digital Agriculture Patents Surge

Digital agriculture is advancing rapidly, with patent filings growing nearly 10% annually, as technologies like AI, sensors, and precision tools reshape crop management and livestock operations.

A new technology insight report from the Observatory on Patents and Technology at the European Patent Office (EPO) revealed that global patent applications in digital agriculture are increasing at an annual rate of 9.4%, a pace three times higher than the average across all technologies.

The report was produced in collaboration with European and Latin American national patent offices and analyzes data from approximately 270,000 patent families, covering 400,000 individual patent applications. Additionally, the EPO’s Deep Tech Finder, a technology platform designed to identify Europe’s investment-ready startups and leading universities, was updated to include over 300 startups and universities active in plant agriculture, artificial growth conditions, livestock management, and supporting technologies.

António Campinos, President, EPO, emphasized that digital agriculture is advancing at an unprecedented pace, reshaping how the world produces food amid pressing global challenges. “By aligning research and technologies with real-world needs and strengthening global cooperation, supported by a solid patent system and open access to knowledge platforms, we can build food systems that are both resilient and equitable,” he said.

The EPO noted that global trends in smart agriculture include imaging and sensing technologies, which are transforming the digital agriculture landscape in plant production. This growth also encompasses innovations that allow farmers to automate tasks such as spraying and harvesting with greater precision and efficiency. Moreover, the use of drones and artificial intelligence has surged since 2018, supporting real-time monitoring and predictive analytics across farming operations.

According to the report, Europe remains the largest source of patents, with an ecosystem comprising 194 startups and 125 universities active in the sector. However, Asia and Latin America are showing the fastest growth rates. Asia leads with a compound annual growth rate of 13.1% between 2000 and 2022, followed by Latin American countries at 10.8%.

In the case of Mexico, the country has established itself as a hub for agricultural innovation, with Universidad Autónoma de Chapingo (UACh), Instituto Tecnológico de Xalapa, and UNAM serving as key centers for patent development. Their main contributions include sensors to optimize irrigation, water monitoring systems for fruit trees, planting robots, and IoT devices for pollinator care.

Between 2018 and April 2025, the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI) granted 3,680 patents in AgTech and FoodTech, 464 of which are Mexican, highlighting the role of academia in knowledge transfer and public-private collaboration. “The digital component of agricultural innovation is transforming how we approach productivity and sustainability in the field. Intellectual property is not only a tool for protection but also a lever that turns knowledge into practical solutions that strengthen rural communities, drive investment, and create jobs,” said Santiago Nieto, Director General, IMPI.

Nieto also stressed that international cooperation and knowledge exchange, supported by a strong intellectual property system, are essential for bringing innovation to the field and delivering tangible benefits to rural communities and the wider world. “At IMPI, we reaffirm our commitment to promoting this ecosystem, establishing Latin America as a reference in digital agriculture, and making technological innovation a cornerstone of a more equitable, competitive, and inclusive Mexico,” he stated.