Smart Tech Survey: More Decision-Making Tools, Advanced Automation Are Wanted
In December, CropLife Magazine we presented some of the results from our very first Smart Tech Adoption survey. In that article, we focused on what the nation’s ag retailers were currently doing with the advanced ag technologies they had purchased for their operations in 2025. Here we will take a look at what kind of Smart Tech activity ag retailers can expect to see over the next few years.
In terms of what kinds of Smart Tech ag retailers plan to invest in for the 2026 growing season, two types of products stand out from the crowd. The first are data analysis and visualization tools. According to the survey, 29% of respondents plan to spend money on these kinds of Smart Tech systems over the next 12 to 24 months. A close second on the list was advanced equipment automation, which was cited by 26% of survey respondents as something they plan to invest in during 2026 and 2027.
Third on the list was edge or cloud computing infrastructure. This was chosen by 15% of the CropLife Smart Tech survey respondents as their purchase target for 2026. The other two items on the list — connectivity and interoperability platforms and carbon/sustainability tracking software — were each selected by 10% of survey respondents. The remaining 10% of ag retailers indicated that the Smart Tech products they buy in 2026 will include such items as spray drones, turning systems, and software.
Looking Further Forward
Going further out, regarding what kinds of Smart Tech products ag retailers believe will drive value for their businesses over the next five years, the results were a little more mixed. Leading the pack was digital agronomy/advisory services at 25%. A close second was data analysis/artificial intelligence (AI)-driven insights at 24%. The only other product sector to finish in this percentage range was financial and risk management tools at 20%.
Outside this group, the highest finisher among Smart Tech items that ag retailers were looking at over the next five years was equipment automation and robotics. According to the survey, 18% of respondents think these products will drive value between now and the end of the decade. Finishing at 12% in the survey was farm connectivity and Internet-of-Things infrastructure.
Coming in last was carbon/sustainability platforms. Only 1% of respondents think this sector will drive value for them over the next five years.
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