Life cycle energy and environmental impacts in sugarcane production: A case study of Amirkabir Sugarcane Agro-Industrial Company in Khuzestan province

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the factors influencing sugarcane production and identify opportunities to reduce energy consumption. The study evaluated the life cycle of sugarcane farms in the Amirkabir Sugarcane Agro-Industrial Company of Khuzestan province using data envelopment analysis (DEA) and collected data through face-to-face interviews and questionnaire completion. The study presented data on the energy input and output for sugarcane cultivation, which were 63,207.84 and 33,974.30 MJ ha−1, respectively. The energy use efficiency was 0.53, with a production energy of 1.01 kg MJ−1 and a specific energy requirement of 0.98 MJ kg−1. The environmental impact of sugarcane cultivation was also evaluated, with the resource depletion category having the highest impact valued at 194.32 USD2013. The findings highlight the need for the responsible use of chemical fertilizers and sustainable agricultural practices to minimize environmental impact and protect human health. The study also identified the best approach to reduce energy consumption while maintaining constant output energy, which can result in a savings of 51,916.93 MJ ha−1 or 28.23 % under a condition of 14,659.56 MJ ha−1. The study suggests that human health and ecosystem quality are the most effective categories for reducing environmental emissions, while fixed performance in the resource depletion category is ineffective. Overall, the study provides valuable insights into improving the sustainability of sugarcane production and can inform policy decisions in the region.