Agricultural Consumption Research Articles

Energy Saving Technologies and Practices in Facility Agriculture in Cold Regions

With the growth of the global population, energy demand continues to rise, making cross-regional energy transportation less viable as a sustainable solution. As a result, the construction of facilities for agriculture in cold regions has become increasingly important in the development of modern agriculture. However, cold region facility agriculture faces significant energy and environmental challenges, necessitating the advancement and application of energy saving technologies. This study addresses the high energy consumption in cold region facility agriculture by experimentally evaluating the integrated effects of geothermal heat pumps, solar collectors, intelligent light control systems, LED plant lamps, and smart ventilation systems in saving energy. The focus is on analyzing the technical adaptability and economic feasibility of these technologies under extremely cold conditions in Heilongjiang. The research findings indicate an overall energy saving rate of 17.8%, with energy savings in heating, lighting, and ventilation systems being 17.6%, 18.6%, and 17.4%, respectively. Economic analysis shows that geothermal heat pumps and high efficiency insulation materials have a short investment payback period and are suitable for widespread adoption, while solar collectors and intelligent light control systems are more appropriate for long-term application. This study demonstrates that intelligent and integrated energy saving technologies have significant potential in cold region facility agriculture, providing both data support and technical references for the efficient, low-carbon development of agriculture in cold climates. This study not only provides scientific evidence for the sustainable development of cold region facility agriculture but also highlights the practical implications of these technologies for reducing energy consumption and promoting low-carbon agriculture.

Investigation of the Effectiveness of Using Luffa Cylindrica to Reduce Water Consumption in Agriculture

Background: To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals: Zero Hunger, a stable and accessible water supply in agriculture is essential. The projected steady increase in population will contribute to a moderate increase in consumption, which in turn will require the development of technologies that increase soil productivity. With the increasing impact of global warming, droughts are becoming increasingly common in the northern region of Bangladesh. Notably, Bangladeshi farmers currently allocate about 37% of the total cost of rice production to irrigation. Objectives: The current study aims to overcome the problem of water shortage in agriculture, particularly in rice cultivation. It is expected that the use of biological sponge extracted from dried Luffa cylindrica will help retain water for its uptake by rice roots. That is, it is expected that by using Luffa cylindrica it will be possible to prevent or significantly reduce evapotranspiration and water seepage into the soil. Methods: This work is an experimental study on rice cultivation in soil with and without Luffa cylindrica. The study controlled the main factors contributing to water loss: evaporation and percolation, for the quantitative measurement of which different systems and methods were used. In addition, other extensive measurements related to irrigation were carried out and contribute to the understanding of the effectiveness/ineffectiveness of the studied approach to reducing water use. Results: A comparison of fields with and without Luffa cylindrica shows a marked contrast in water storage capacity. Initial observations indicate that integrating Luffa cylindrica into rice paddies improves water retention, thereby reducing losses due to evaporation and seepage. It was found that the irrigation frequency was above the optimum threshold to achieve the desired result. In addition, more water was required to fill the Luffa-containing field than the Luffa-containing field, as the dry Luffa cylindrica also had to be saturated. Despite these issues, the use of Luffa cylindrica resulted in water savings of 26.97%. Conclusion: improving soil moisture retention in rice paddies. By utilizing the fibrous structure of dry Luffa cylindrica, water losses due to evapotranspiration and seepage were significantly reduced, resulting in substantial water savings and reduced costs for farmers. The eco-friendliness and cost-effectiveness of Luffa cylindrica highlights its potential as a sustainable water management solution for agricultural practices. Its availability and ease of cultivation make it a viable option for farmers, with minimal investment required to implement the technique on a large scale.

Spatiotemporal assessment of the cumulative exergy demand of agricultural greenhouse production with industrial symbiosis

While agricultural greenhouses facilitate out-of-season production, they face criticism due to their considerable resource consumption and consequential negative environmental repercussions. Resource use varies based on location, meteorological conditions, agricultural practices, and greenhouse technology. This study evaluates resource consumption of greenhouse systems by quantifying the cumulative exergy demand (CExD) of 1 kg of greenhouse tomatoes for every production month, considering geographical locations of projected greenhouses in Switzerland, cultivation practices (staggered and non-staggered), and seasonal weather variations throughout the year. Moreover, the effect of implementing Industrial Symbiosis (IS) opportunities on potential CExD reduction is explored. The findings indicate that in case of a planting and growing period from September to July instead of February to November, the annual average CExD of 1 kg tomato increases by 43 % in the Mittelland region (e.g. Bern). Furthermore, depending on cultivation periods, the CExD for a kilogram of tomatoes harvested in the same area in November could reach 14 times higher than in July, showing the temporal variability of resource consumption in greenhouse agriculture. Utilizing waste heat and CO2 from nearby potential suppliers can reduce the CExD by 60 % compared to conventional greenhouses heated by fossil fuels. Policymakers can use the presented outcomes to assess local policies in relation to resource efficiency, quantified as life cycle exergy in this paper.

The role of Teff crop in Ethiopian life: consumption and contribution to rural livelihoods

Teff (Eragrostis tef) is believed to be the smallest grain in the world. It is the most important crop in Ethiopia in terms of production and consumption. Smallholder farmers produce Teff, and it is the main source of income for farmers in comparison to other cereal crops. Teff is the daily staple food for over 50 million Ethiopians. There is a need for information on agricultural consumption, disaggregated at district level, to support evidence-based decision-making at local level. The objective of this paper is to understand the consumption of Teff among rural smallholder producers at district level and assess the position of Teff among cereals in the lives of Ethiopian rural farmers. The study employed a multistage sampling technique to select the top Teff producing regions, districts, and kebeles (small administrative units) and collected primary data through focus group discussions (FGDs), key informants, and questionnaire respondents. The survey collected qualitative and quantitative data from 357 households. FGD, key informant interview (KII) participants and survey respondents were drawn from the same areas where the survey was conducted. The quantitative and qualitative data were subjected to statistical and content analysis respectively. The study findings revealed that on average households consume 26.92% of their Teff production per year. Moreover, there is a shift in the consumption of Teff which might be due to improved standards of living among the farmers, a health-conscious community, and improved income from Teff sales. Although Teff is a staple grain in Ethiopia, there is a statistically significant variation in Teff consumption among districts.

The impact of agriculture in Visegrad countries on CO2 emissions using the FMOLS and DOLS methods in an empirical panel data study

The primary aspiration of this paper is to learn about the effects of agricultural energy consumption, agriculture value added, agricultural land and fertiliser consumption on environmental pollution in Visegrad countries. The research employs panel data from long-run models FMOLS and DOLS, covering the period from 1995 to 2020. The study suggests that there is a positive and statistically significant correlation between CO2 emissions from agriculture in Central and Eastern European countries, and factors such as higher energy consumption, increased value from agricultural production, greater fertiliser consumption, and larger arable land areas. The FMOLS and DOLS models’ long-term coefficients suggest that energy consumption in agriculture and crop area are the main factors contributing to the increase in CO2 emissions from agriculture in the studied countries. The study recommends a sustainable energy transformation of agriculture by limiting the use of fossil fuels in agricultural production and reducing share of arable land.

Research on optimal scheduling strategy of source-grid-load-storage in rural low-voltage distribution network

The increasing demand for centralised power consumption in rural agriculture may result in low voltage and three-phase imbalance issues at the end of the distribution network. Furthermore, the extensive implementation of distributed photovoltaic (PV) systems may cause an imbalance between agricultural power load and PV output, exacerbating the issue of PV losses. In this paper, an optimal scheduling strategy for an integrated source-networkload- storage system is proposed to solve the above problems. The proposed strategy involves a dispatch model that includes PV power generation and energy storage, with the objective of maximising PV consumption and minimising operating costs. The PPO algorithm is finally employed to solve the cooperative optimisation model for source-grid-load-storage. The proposed scheduling strategy has been validated through examples, and the results demonstrate its effectiveness in ensuring the economic and safe operation of rural distribution networks.

Developing a water budget for the Amman-Zarqa basin using water accounting plus and the pixel-based soil water balance model

Water resources assessments are essential for effective planning in water-scarce regions such as Jordan. Such assessments require sufficient data in space and time. The WaPOR-based Water Accounting Plus (WA +) framework is relevant as it integrates remote sensing data and the Pixel-Based Soil Water Balance model to simulate a basin’s water balance. However, since it relies on remote sensing, this framework only tracks water consumption in irrigated agriculture and does not consider non-irrigation water use and its return flow. This paper modifies the WaPOR-based WA + framework to include non-irrigation manmade consumption and its return flows. The modified framework provides a more comprehensive water budget for the Amman-Zarqa (AZ) basin, presented in a modified WA + resource base sheet for 2018 through 2021. The results show that water availability in the AZ basin is highly responsive to precipitation changes. Average precipitation was approximately 926 Mm3/year between 2018 and 2020, corresponding to an average available water of 485 Mm3/year. However, a reduction in average precipitation by 28% in 2021 corresponded to a reduction in available water to 243 Mm3/year. Nevertheless, substantial groundwater outflows to neighbouring basins may indicate that available water is being overestimated. Manmade consumption increased by 18% from 2018 to 2021, and the total demand exceeded the available supply by 150%. This underscores the pressing need to investigate supply augmentation and conservation methods. Future studies could focus on improving the representation of groundwater dynamics in the modified framework by improving groundwater dynamics in PixSWAB and testing the modified framework with other remote sensing datasets.

The Impact of Agriculture on the Consumption of Natural Resources (An analytical study)

This research delves into the multifaceted relationship between agriculture and the consumption of natural resources, highlighting the significant impact of agricultural practices on natural resource depletion. Various studies have explored this dynamic, revealing how technological advancements, government policies, and market access in developed countries have contributed to the increased consumption of natural resources in agriculture. The expansion of palm oil plantations in Indonesia, for instance, has raised concerns about land scarcity and environmental degradation due to soil compaction and water retention issues. Conversely, research in the U.S. suggests that the availability of natural resources, except in cases of major energy supply interruptions, does not significantly constrain agricultural output. The study also examines the role of energy consumption in agriculture, with findings indicating that an increase in gas consumption boosts GDP, whereas higher electricity consumption may hinder growth. Additionally, the research addresses the effects of natural disasters on agriculture, food security, and natural resources, with typhoons notably impacting rice production and household food security in the Philippines. Through a critical and analytical lens, this paper aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how agricultural practices influence the depletion of natural resources and explore potential strategies for mitigating these effects. Given the study's outcomes, several policy recommendations emerge as follow: Governments should create incentives for the adoption of renewable energy technologies in agriculture to reduce reliance on non-renewable resources, There is a need for comprehensive water management policies that ensure more sustainable water use in agriculture.

Examining the efficacy of biological filters in the removal of agricultural pesticides and nutrient elements from agricultural drainage water

The high water consumption in agriculture has led to an obvious water crisis in this sector, and the use of unconventional water sources, especially agricultural drains, is considered necessary. For this purpose, the present study was carried out to evaluate the efficiency of biological filters with different types of substrates for treating agricultural wastewater in Khuzestan province, located in the south of Iran, to use receptive resources and reuse them in agriculture. Next, the efficiency of four types of biological filters for treating agricultural drainage water with different retention times was evaluated. Sawdust, cotton stalks, wheat straw, stubble, and rice husk were used as filters. Qualitative factors included agricultural pesticides (Atrazine, Randup, Paraquat, and 2, 4-D) and nutrients (nitrate, nitrogen, phosphate, and phosphorus). By examining the trend of increasing the retention time and the corresponding removal percentage, it was observed that the retention time has a direct relationship with the amount of removal efficiency of nutrients and agricultural toxins. As the residence time increases, the average amount of nutrient compounds in different filters decreases, and their removal percentage increases. The highest removal percentage of nitrate, total nitrogen, phosphate, and total phosphorus was 74.03, 71.66, 57.97, and 61.85% in the sawdust filter and was assigned to 10 days. The highest percentage of removal of Atrazine, Tofudi, Paraquat, and Roundup toxins with a removal efficiency of 91.73, 84.27, 89.81, and 88.46% was also observed in the treatment of sawdust for 10 days. The sawdust filter showed a good performance in removing the parameters of agricultural toxins and nutrient compounds in a retention time of 10 days compared to other filters and retention times. As a general result, the sawdust filter can be cited as a reliable substrate with acceptable efficiency compared to other filters.

Mathematical Modeling for Predicting Growth and Yield of Halophyte Hedysarum scoparium in Arid Regions under Variable Irrigation and Soil Amendment Conditions

Growing degree days (GDDs) and leaf area index (LAI) greatly influence the growth and yield of many crops grown in arid regions. Therefore, variation in LAI due to GDD can provide a theoretical basis for predicting crop growth, water consumption, plant development, and yield in arid agriculture via the development of mathematical growth models. This study described the relationship between plant biomass production and variation in LAI due to GDD in arid regions under different types of irrigation (fresh water and saline water) and soils amended with different substances (manure+sandy soil, compost+sandy soil, clay+sandy soil, and sandy soil). Mathematical models for LAI were established for GDDs. In addition, different water quality irrigation techniques were used as independent variables to calculate the LAI of halophytic plants (Hedysarum scoparium) in arid regions under different soil amendment treatments. Furthermore, mathematical models for plant biomass production were developed by using the LAI and GDDs. For this purpose, Logistic, Gaussian, modified Gaussian, and Cubic polynomial models were used. Modified Gaussian and Cubic polynomial models are the best among all developed models, but Cubic polynomial models are more suitable among all developed models because of their simple quadratic equations that can be solved by using the first derivative. It was observed that with increased salt concentration in the irrigation water, the growth of per plant production decreased. However, soil amendments like manure and compost enhance salt tolerance against salt stress and enable plants to sustain their growth. Furthermore, Hedysarum scoparium attains maximum LAI when its GDD is about 1117.5 °C under both irrigation regimes and in all soil amendment treatments. It was concluded that these predicted mathematical models can provide crucial insights for enhancing production in arid regions by using eco-friendly soil amendments to improve water use efficiency across diverse types of water irrigation.

Environmental impact assessment of horse and mechanical traction for vineyard cultivation

In the European Union, energy consumption in agriculture and forestry is less intense than in other economic sectors. However, fossil and non-renewable sources, particularly oil, are predominant, with higher percentages than in different economic sectors. In this context, this study aims to compare the environmental impact generated by equine and mechanical traction for viticulture practices in an organic production context, using life cycle assessment (LCA). Three scenarios were considered: business as usual (i.e., tractor-grown grapes) and horse-grown grapes but with two feeding options (tractor-grown hay and horse-grown hay). The results show that the tractor-grown grape scenario has higher impacts in five impact categories whereas the horse-grown scenario shows higher Global Warming, and to a minor extent Land use. Specifically, the worst results of the control scenario are in the mid-point category of Inorganic Respiratory due to fuel use, which produces P M 2.5. Fuel use is also the cause of the highest environmental burdens in other categories such as terrestrial Ecotoxicity. A sensitive analysis of the results was performed considering the endpoint damage categories. The outcomes show that, in general, the impact of horses is quite stable even under potentially different conditions. Some categories (ecosystem quality, global impact) are only slightly affected by variation in growth time, while all other categories (human health, resources, climate change) experience greater variation.

НОРМИРОВАНИЕ ВОДОПОТРЕБЛЕНИЯ СЕЛЬСКОХОЗЯЙСТВЕННЫХ УГОДИЙ И КУЛЬТУР С УЧЕТОМ ПРОСТРАНСТВЕННО-ВРЕМЕННОЙ ИЗМЕНЧИВОСТИ ГИДРОМЕТЕОРОЛОГИЧЕСКИХ ФАКТОРОВ

The article presents the developed calculation methodology for environmental regulation of water consumption of agricultural land and crops, taking into account the spatiotemporal variability of climatic, hydrological, soil and biological indicators of the natural system. It is noted that the human pressure in the form of a deficit in water consumption of agricultural land and crops should be based on the principles of energy balance of heat, moisture and nutrients, taking into account natural conditions that ensure targeted regulation and management of soil-forming processes in hydro-agrolandscapes. The developed model and algorithm for assessing water consumption in agriculture are built using two models for rationing water consumption - agricultural land and crops, which makes it possible to determine the most important criteria for environmental management in irrigated agriculture and is of great importance in ensuring food security of the population.

Agrochemicals and crop productivity losses

Objective: The aim of this research is to reflect briefly on the importance of the use of agrochemicals in the productivity of some crops according to their contribution to yield, and some implications of their agricultural consumption. Design/methodology/approach: Based on related literature and some experiences in the field on the use and consumption of pesticides. Results: Pesticides are synthetic, microbial or derived organic compounds used in plant growth programs to prevent or control pests, diseases, and weeds. Also, mineral nutrition (with macro and micronutrients) is considered as agrochemicals. However, the effects on the contamination of soils, groundwater, lakes, seas and oceans due to its use is increasing. Mexico is a large consumer of fungicides, insecticides, fertilizers and herbicides for agricultural uses. Limitations on study/implications: Unmeasured use of any type of pesticide can produce tons of pesticide-trash. Some traces of active or inert ingredients can be detected in bodies of water. Findings/conclusions: The constant risk of agronomic yield losses can be substantial without the use of agrochemicals. Without the application of pesticides, yield losses can reach 100%.

A globalized methodology of energy-saving solar greenhouse design in high latitudes

The energy-saving solar greenhouse (ESSG) represents a Chinese-type agricultural building of facilitating low-energy and zero-carbon vegetable overwintering production in high latitudes and cold regions. However, its application benefit outside of China has been limited. To establish an operational ESSG design scheme applicable worldwide, this study developed a comprehensive methodology and specific parameters for different latitudinal regions. The ESSG design was determined based on considerations of daylighting, thermal insulation, heat storage-release capacity, and structural safety. Through validation in six representative regions, the reliability of the ESSG design methodology was confirmed. The optimal design values for front roof angle, ridge height, and back wall height were identified across different latitudes. ESSG in various latitudinal regions from 32°N to 48°N exhibited annual cumulative temperatures could reach 8 × 103∼1.3 × 104°C and accumulated light interception could reach 2 × 1012∼4 × 1012J. Even in the 48°N region, the average internal temperature of the greenhouse exceeded 8 °C, with a nighttime cooling rate lower than 0.75 °C/h and a maximum temperature difference between internal and external environments exceeding 40 °C. This suggests the ESSG fully meets the non-heated overwintering production requirements for common vegetables. The research findings provide crucial theoretical foundations for the global promotion of ESSG, contributing to the reduction of energy consumption and carbon emissions in the sustainable agriculture.

Decision Analysis of Cold Chain Supply Chain Based on a Stochastic Evolution Model

Accelerating the development of cold chain logistics for agricultural products is not only an objective requirement for the development of agricultural product circulation but also a necessary demand to promote rural revitalization and upgrade agricultural consumption. Addressing the evolutionary problems of cold chain transportation in uncertain environments, this study considers the actual stochastic disturbances in the cold chain supply chain system, introducing Gaussian white noise to reflect the random perturbations experienced during the evolution of the cold chain. A three-party stochastic evolutionary game model is established involving farmers, logistics enterprises, and government regulatory authorities. Based on this model, numerical simulation analysis is conducted to explore the effects of different factors such as the intensity of random disturbances and the loss transfer coefficient on the fluctuation of strategic choices of the entities and the convergence speed to a stable state during evolution. Finally, combining the results of numerical simulation, relevant policies and recommendations are proposed to provide insights and guidance for the development of cold chain logistics in agricultural products.

The Political Development Cycle: The Right and the Left in People’s Republic of China from 1953

We quantify the effects of the political development cycle—the fluctuations between the Left (Maoist) and the Right (pragmatist) development policies—on growth and structural transformation of China in 1953–1978. The left policies prioritized structural transformation toward nonagricultural production and consumption at the expense of agricultural development. The right policies prioritized agricultural consumption through slower structural transformation. The imperfect implementation of these policies led to large welfare costs of the political development cycle in a distorted economy undergoing a structural change. (JEL D72, N15, N45, N55, O21, P21, P24)

A Grave Concern: Water-Intensive Crops and Subsidized Electricity Amplifying Groundwater Depletion in India

This study investigates the consequences of agricultural activities on groundwater depletion, with a specific focus on the overproduction of water-intensive crops. Addressing this existing research gap, this study challenges the prevailing notion that groundwater depletion reduces agricultural activity. Instead, our study reveals a significant relationship between intensified cropping practices, particularly the production of water-intensive crops (Paddy, Sugarcane and Wheat) and the depletion of groundwater. Further, we identify how subsidized electricity helps to accelerate groundwater depletion. Therefore, we use variables related to groundwater and agricultural practices for the period 2004–2020. In doing so, we find that the Northern states of India are most vulnerable in terms of groundwater depletion (PNB: 59.92, SGD: 106.3), followed by southern, central, western, eastern and northeastern states. Additionally, the regression results suggest that our main variables, magnitude of electricity consumption in agriculture and irrigation intensity of water-intensive crops, have a positive and significant impact on groundwater depletion. In fact, our study found that other variables such as cropping intensity (CI), state population (SP), agriculture credit (AC) and total electric pumps (TP) are also significant and positively associated with groundwater depletion while the magnitude of annual rainfall (AR) shows a negative impact on groundwater depletion. Based on the findings, this study presents an alternative perspective that underscores the contribution of ineffective government policies in regulating subsidize electricity and the cultivation of water-intensive crops, leading to the exploitation of groundwater resources in Indian states with regional variations. These findings emphasize the critical and immediate need for effective regulations on the production of water-intensive crops to address this pressing issue.

Investigating the Agricultural Use and Disposal of Plastics in Malta

The use of plastics in agriculture has become so omnipresent that it has acquired its own lexicon, and it is now known as “plasticulture”. However, since compared to other industries, plastic consumption in agriculture is low, little attention has been paid to this material and its eventual disposal. This disregard is evident within both local and international statistics and policies, despite the close connection its disposal bears to soil health, making correct disposal a prerequisite for improving the health and sustainability of food production processes. Using Malta as a case study, this research utilizes quantitative and qualitative tools to identify and quantify the most common types of agricultural plastic waste generated and to determine the attitudes of farmers towards the establishment of a collection and recycling scheme. While the results indicate that for 38% of respondents, the incineration and plowing of plastic waste are regular practices, they also ascertain the willingness of farmers to acquire additional knowledge about more appropriate methods to dispose of this waste stream, thus guiding policy makers towards the need to initiate educational measures for farmers to prevent these harmful practices. The stakeholder interviews highlight that the present lack of data is a major obstacle, preventing policy from taking this waste stream into account.

Zero discharge: An optimized strategy to improve the hydric deficit in the Mediterranean area by pumped hydro storage. Case study of Alicante, Spain

Alterations in annual temperature and precipitation patterns are imposing heightened strain on both urban and agricultural systems. The insufficiency of available water resources to satisfy the escalating demand necessitates a concerted effort to optimize alternative sources. In the context of agriculture, the utilization of treated water is currently executed on a sporadic basis. The elevated energy expenditures and the absence of regulatory frameworks in these systems contribute to a substantial portion of these resources being discharged into natural water bodies, or in the case of coastal municipalities, near the sea. This research endeavors to proffer a comprehensive strategy aimed at eliminating the discharge of treated water into the sea. It proposes the annual allocation of 16.7 hm3 of treated water to irrigation communities grappling with acute water deficits. The strategy, when applied to a tangible case study, ensures the reliable provision and distribution of the entire designated volume. This approach takes into account the fluctuating agricultural demands through the implementation of hybrid systems boasting an installed capacity of 15 MW. Additionally, it establishes the deployment of pumped hydro-storage reservoirs to regulate and secure the requisite energy for distribution and the osmosis process involved in treating a portion of the reclaimed water, thereby presenting a high-quality solution amenable to agricultural consumption.

Development of Energy Consumption in Agriculture in the European Union between 2010 and 2021

Agriculture is the basis of national economic and social development, and the sector's energy consumption is an important part of the energy system. This study examines the energy consumption, agricultural production and energy consumption of the sector in the 27 countries of the European Union with a time series analysis, making a forecast until 2025. Between 2010 and 2022, agricultural production in the European Union increased by 19% from 2021 to 2022. Both primary (by 13.5 million tonnes of oil equivalent, by 0.98%) and fnal energy consumption (by 5.15 million tonnes of oil equivalent, by 0.52%) decreased in the examined period. On the other hand, the energy consumption of the agricultural sector increased (by 258.1 thousand tonnes oil equivalent, 0.96%) and will continue to increase based on the forecasts. Thus, with the increase in agricultural production, the sector's energy use has increased, even though the EU's energy consumption has decreased.