Why satellite IoT is a game-changer for irrigation management 

As global agriculture becomes more data-driven, solution providers are playing a pivotal role in helping farmers adopt smart technologies that increase efficiency and sustainability. One of the most impactful technologies gaining momentum is irrigation management systems, particularly those enhanced by satellite IoT connectivity.  

For solution providers, integrating satellite-powered IoT into irrigation offerings delivers unmatched value to customers operating in remote environments. 

The need for smarter irrigation 

Water use in agriculture accounts for roughly 70% of global freshwater withdrawals. Yet much of it is lost due to inefficient application and lack of monitoring. As regulations tighten and climate variability increases, farmers are under pressure to do more with less. 

This creates a clear opportunity for solution providers: offer technology that optimizes water usage while minimizing overhead. Irrigation management systems, which use live environmental and equipment data for water delivery, are one of the most effective tools available. However, their effectiveness is limited without reliable connectivity—that’s where satellite IoT comes in. 

While traditional IoT systems often rely on cellular or Wi-Fi networks, these options are frequently unavailable in rural and remote areas. Satellite IoT overcomes this limitation, providing virtually global coverage regardless of geography. 

With satellite-enabled irrigation management systems, solution providers can offer: 

• Remote access: Farmers gain full control over their irrigation systems—even hundreds of miles away from the nearest cellular tower. 

• Consistent data: Soil moisture, temperature and weather readings update continuously, allowing for precise adjustments to irrigation schedules. 

• Better resource efficiency: Make decisions based on field conditions, reducing water waste and energy consumption. 

• Improved yield outcomes: Healthier soil conditions and water management practices lead to stronger, more resilient crops. 

Benefits for solution providers 

For solution providers, satellite IoT offers more than just technical reliability—it opens the door to high-value, differentiated services. By offering satellite-powered irrigation management systems, you position your company as a strategic partner in your customer’s sustainability and profitability goals by: 

• Serving harder-to-reach markets: Satellite coverage allows you to support farms in areas where cellular providers can’t. 

• Reducing support burdens: ORBCOMM’s hardware and network reliability reduces downtime and troubleshooting requests. 

• Driving measurable outcomes: With smart irrigation, your customers can see clear ROI through water savings and yield improvements. 

Real-world success: ORBCOMM-powered solutions in the field 

Several agriculture technology providers have already integrated ORBCOMM’s satellite IoT into their platforms—with strong results. 

Using ORBCOMM’s satellite network, Farmbot’s solutions enable their customers to remotely monitor and manage water usage across vast, remote farms.  

Ponce, an ORBCOMM partner, uses ORBCOMM technology to help farmers simplify irrigation, track soil moisture and prevent overwatering. The result: higher yields, lower costs and better resilience across thousands of hectares. 

These examples highlight what’s possible when solution providers integrate ORBCOMM satellite connectivity into their agricultural technology stack. 

Quantifying the smart agriculture opportunity 

• The global smart agriculture market is projected to grow from USD 15.3 billion in 2023 to USD 31.2 billion by 2028, a CAGR of 15.5%. 

• Precision irrigation solutions powered by IoT can reduce water consumption by 20% to 40%, helping farmers save on utilities while meeting sustainability mandates. 

• Farms using sensor-based irrigation have reported yield increases of up to 25% thanks to better soil moisture control. 

What solution providers need from a satellite partner 

To make the most of this opportunity, solution providers should focus on several key areas when adding satellite to their smart irrigation management systems: 

• Seamless integration: Choose hardware partners that can easily plug into your existing farm management software. 

• Scalability: Ensure your connectivity partner can support expansion across different crops, geographies and farm sizes. 

• Experience: Find a partner that can prove their breadth of industry experience with success stories and field-tested deployments. 

Partnering with proven technology vendors like ORBCOMM allows you to build better irrigation management systems without the heavy lifting of building a network or hardware layer from scratch. Elevate your offerings and deliver measurable value to farmers with ORBCOMM satellite-enabled irrigation management systems.  

Learn more about ORBCOMM satellite technology by reading our brochure. 

Cody Lirette

Cody Lirette is Senior Content Marketing Manager at ORBCOMM. With over a decade of marketing and communications experience for both the public and private sector, he uses his passion for innovative technology and plain language to build compelling content that inspires action.