Comparison of the Efficiency and Use of Energy in Organic and Conventional Farming in Spanish Agricultural Systems

Abstract

The use of non-renewable energy in farming, a factor which considerably reduces its energy efficiency, continues to increase. Moreover, there is growing worldwide concern regarding the emission of greenhouse gases and their effect on our climate, which is directly related to the use of fossil energy. All this creates a need for energy studies on changing tendencies in the management of agricultural systems, among which we find that of organic farming. This article uses energy balances to evaluate the contribution of organic farming to the increase of energy efficiency in Spanish agriculture. To achieve this objective, comparative studies were carried out on 78 organic crops and their conventional counterparts. Primary data were obtained via direct surveys carried out at farms distributed across the whole of Spain. The results indicate that non-renewable energy efficiency is higher in organic farming, whilst the consumption of this type of energy is lower. For this reason, although certain qualifications are made regarding the factors which can influence these results, an increase in the land area dedicated to organic farming would considerably improve the energy sustainability of Spanish agriculture.