Renewable Energy and Circular Economy in Agriculture

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Renewable Energy and Circular Economy in Agriculture

Chongtham Rini, Anushree Vinod Dadmal, Akanshi Bhandhari,                      Nishi Chauhan

Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture & Technology Pantnagar, Uttarakhand -263145, India

Agriculture is heavily dependent on energy, both directly and indirectly. Direct energy use includes the operation of machinery, irrigation systems, and transportation, while indirect energy in the production of fertilizers, pesticides, and other agrochemicals. Globally, agriculture accounts for over a quarter of total energy consumption, with food production and supply chains being major contributing factors (Rodias et al., 2020; Ansari et al., 2023). Heavy dependence on energy, especially from fossil fuels, not only increases production costs but also significantly increases greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, contributing to climate change and environmental degradation (Ansari et al., 2023; Zadgaonkar et al., 2021). Modern agricultural systems are energy-intensive. Mechanization, irrigation, and the use of agrochemicals have enabled higher productivity but at the cost of increased energy demand. For instance, the energy required for fertilizer and pesticide production is substantial, and irrigation alone can account for a significant share of on-farm energy use (Rodias et al., 2020; Ansari et al., 2023). As global food demand is estimated to rise by 59–98% by 2050, the sector’s energy footprint is expected to grow, intensifying the need for sustainable energy solutions (Rodias et al., 2020).

Conventional agricultural practices are associated with environmental challenges.