Assessing Fuel Consumption, Energy Use, and Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Sustainable Crop Production in Iran

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Higher Educational Complex of Saravan, Faculty of Agriculture, P.O. Box 9951634145, Saravan, Iran.

2 Professor Dept. of Agronomy, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences

3 Faculty of Plant Production, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Iran.

10.22034/saps.2025.62435.3246

Abstract

Objective: One of the most pressing challenges facing humanity is achieving sustainable food production while preserving the environment. Agriculture currently represents a major source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The increasing atmospheric concentration of these gases accelerates climate change and its detrimental effects worldwide. This study aimed to develop a dynamic module to investigate the environmental impact of plant production in Iran.
Materials and Methods: The module facilitates the estimation of fuel, electricity, and energy consumption within the agricultural sector. Additionally, it enables the assessment of greenhouse gas emissions associated with agricultural product production at both national and provincial levels. Calculations within the module were conducted for a total of 36 plant types, encompassing 18 agricultural plants, 13 garden plants, and 5 summer plants and vegetables. The module differentiates between rainfed and irrigated agriculture at both national and provincial scales.
Results: Our results revealed that vegetable production fields consume 440,720,680 MJ yr-1 energy, encompassing both direct and indirect energy inputs. Of this total energy consumption, 73% is allocated to agricultural products, 22% to horticultural products, and the remaining 5% supports summer crops and vegetables. Additionally, 89% of the energy used for plant production is dedicated to irrigated crops, while the remaining 11% sustains rainfed agriculture. Annually, 21456 thousand tons of carbon dioxide equivalent are emitted from production of plant products in Iran. 66%, 28%, 6% of this amount of emission is due to the production of crops, horticultural products and summer crops and vegetables in the country, respectively.

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Main Subjects

Journal of Agricultural Science and Sustainable Production

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 23 October 2026

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