Market Trends of Agrigenomics Industry
Next Generation Sequencing Market is Growing
- Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is a revolutionary technology that rapidly decodes entire genomes, revealing the DNA blueprint of organisms. It has transformed the field of genetics, enabling researchers to identify disease-related genes, analyze genetic variations, and develop innovative tools for personalized and precision medicine. NGS outshines traditional methods with its speed, cost-efficiency, and versatility, marking a significant evolution in genomics.
- Industrialization and urbanization are shrinking arable land in numerous countries worldwide. For example, data from the World Bank highlights that China's arable land shrank from 109.0 million hectares in 2020 to 108.9 million hectares in 2021. Consequently, there's an urgent need to boost crop productivity to meet rising demands. This scenario underscores the relevance of NGS technology, which aids in cultivating healthier and more productive crops.
- Furthermore, projections from reputable agricultural research institutions, including the USDA, forecast a notable rise in the adoption of NGS technology for crop genomics and breeding programs in the near future. Additionally, akin to trends in other sectors, increased investments in genomics research and agriculture are poised to elevate the demand for NGS-based solutions. Noteworthy is the anticipated role of funding initiatives, particularly from government bodies like the USDA, in accelerating the development and adoption of NGS technologies in agriculture. For instance, in 2024, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture committed a significant USD 2.3 million to the Agriculture Genome to Phenome Initiative.
- The Agriculture Genome to Phenome Initiative (AG2PI), led by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, is championing collaborative scientific efforts to enhance the understanding of genomes and phenomes, crucial to the United States agricultural domain. By bringing together researchers from both crop and animal sectors, the initiative aims to deepen insights into the interplay between genetic diversity, diverse weather conditions, and production systems, all of which are vital for growth and productivity.
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North America Dominates the Market
- The North American agrigenomics market is steadily expanding, driven by the increasing adoption of high-yielding varieties. These varieties enhance resistance in the early growth stages and reduce reliance on harmful pesticides. Genotyping, a cornerstone of agrigenomics, provides breeders and researchers with cost-effective tools to identify markers associated with complex genetic traits.
- According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), there's a notable uptick in the adoption of genetically engineered (GE) seed varieties across the nation. This trend is especially pronounced in crops such as corn, upland cotton, soybeans, canola, and sugar beets. For instance, herbicide-tolerant (HT) crops are engineered to endure specific broad-spectrum herbicides like glyphosate, glufosinate, and dicamba. On the other hand, insect-resistant crops utilize a gene from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) to produce a protein that deters insects.
- In the United States, companies like Illumina, Inc. are harnessing their agrigenomics technologies to aid animal breeders and researchers in pinpointing desirable traits, subsequently boosting livestock health and productivity.
- While a range of genetically engineered (GE) traits have emerged ranging from resistance to viruses and fungi to improved protein, oil, or vitamin content, it's important to highlight that herbicide-tolerant (HT) and Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) traits are the predominant forces in the North America crop production.
- The region's increasing embrace of agrigenomics is largely fueled by the need to minimize pesticide use. Significant R&D efforts, technological advancements, and a rise in merger and acquisition (M&A) activities are central to the nation's market expansion. A prime illustration is the 2022 partnership between American biotech firm PacBio and Corteva Agriscience, focusing on advancing high-throughput technologies for plant, pest, and microbial sequencing.
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