EPO: digital agriculture patent applications growing at record pace
Patent applications related to digital agriculture are growing 9.4% annually, about three times faster than the average for all technologies, as innovation accelerates to address the challenge of feeding a global population expected to exceed 10 billion by 2050, according to a new report from the European Patent Office (EPO).
The report, published Thursday by the EPO’s Patent and Technology Observatory, identifies Latin America as an emerging hub for agricultural innovation. The region recorded average annual growth of 11% in digital agriculture patent activity between 2000 and 2022.
Mexico has emerged as a regional leader, with universities and technology institutions developing innovations involving irrigation sensors, water monitoring, agricultural robots and technologies designed to protect pollinators.
Between 2018 and April 2025, Mexico’s Institute of Industrial Property granted 3,680 patents to companies working in AgTech and FoodTech, including 464 granted to Mexican applicants.
The EPO report identifies imaging and sensors, automation, drones and artificial intelligence as key technologies driving digital agriculture. Their use has accelerated since 2018, particularly for real-time monitoring, precision farming and predictive analysis.
Europe currently leads globally in digital agriculture patents, supported by an ecosystem that includes 194 startups and 125 active universities. Asia surpassed North America in patent activity in 2020.
The report also found that companies are playing an increasingly important role in agricultural innovation. Since 2022, businesses have accounted for 88% of patent applications, with major players including John Deere, CNH Industrial, Claas, Kubota and Amazonen-Werke.
EPO President António Campinos said digital agriculture is advancing rapidly as the sector responds to growing food-security challenges.
The study, titled Digital Agriculture – Towards Sustainable Food Security, examines developments in countries including Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru and Mexico, highlighting the role of patents, startups, universities and public-private cooperation in bringing new technologies to farms.
Source: EFE News Agency
