Sustainable farming practices through renewable energy innovation in agriculture
Farmers today face mounting challenges on multiple fronts: unpredictable climate shifts, shrinking arable land, depleting freshwater reserves, and rising input costs, all of which threaten their ability to sustain livelihoods and meet the growing global demand for food. With the world expected to add over 2 billion people by 2050, agriculture—the cornerstone of food security—is at a breaking point. It occupies nearly 44% of the world’s land and supports over 1.23 billion people whose livelihoods depend directly on farming. However, with finite natural resources and rapidly degrading ecosystems, the question is no longer just how to produce more food, but how to do so sustainably.
Compounding these challenges is the existential threat of climate change, which has already raised global temperatures by 1.1°C since pre-industrial levels. The consequences are increasingly severe: erratic weather patterns, prolonged droughts, extreme floods, and intensifying heat waves are becoming the new norm. In 2023, global agricultural productivity was 21 per cent lower than it could have been without climate change, according to research by Stanford University The World Bank predicts that by 2030, climate change could push over 132 million people into extreme poverty, with farmers in developing countries hit hardest.
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The combined pressures of a growing global population and climate change have a profound impact on food security. Today, between 690-783 million people worldwide are undernourished—a number likely to climb as agricultural yields shrink due to unpredictable growing conditions.
Ironically, while agriculture is a victim of climate change, it is also one of its major contributors. The sector is responsible for nearly 22% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, driven largely by deforestation, methane from livestock, and the extensive use of nitrogen-based fertilisers.
Renewable-powered sustainable farming: A path to resilience and growth
Sustainable farming, at its core, seeks to meet the world’s food needs without depleting natural resources or causing harm to ecosystems. In the face of rising food demand, climate change, and dwindling resources, this model of agriculture has never been more critical. It balances the intricate relationship between environmental stewardship, economic viability, and social responsibility.
The integration of renewable energy—such as solar, wind, and biogas— is key to transforming agriculture into a more resilient, eco-friendly sector. Renewable energy not only reduces the carbon footprint of farming but also provides a stable, low-cost source of energy that can help farmers adapt to climate challenges and rising costs, enabling more food production with fewer resources.
For smallholder farmers, modern biogas technology is particularly well-suited as it addresses their energy needs, boosts farm productivity while also mitigating carbon emissions arising from unmanaged cattle waste.
How can biogas help transform waste into renewable energy
Biogas is produced by breaking down organic waste, such as animal manure, in a controlled, anaerobic environment. Farms, with their steady supply of organic waste, are ideal for biogas plants, offering an eco-friendly solution to waste management while generating renewable energy. One of the key applications of biogas is in clean cooking stoves, which provide a smoke-free, eco-friendly alternative to traditional wood or charcoal stoves. These stoves improve health by reducing indoor air pollution, particularly benefiting women and children, while also combating deforestation.
Biogas plants play a crucial role in climate change mitigation by capturing methane, a greenhouse gas 25 times more potent than CO2, from untreated livestock manure. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recognizes biogas as a vital tool in reducing agricultural emissions and promoting sustainability in farming systems worldwide.
Beyond energy, biogas also produces nutrient-rich biofertilizers that enhance soil fertility and boosts crop yields by up to 10–40%. This by-product supports organic farming by reducing dependence on synthetic fertilizers and harmful chemicals, improving produce quality, and protecting plants from pests and diseases. Over time, biofertilizers become self-sustaining, showcasing how biogas technology can transform agriculture into a more sustainable, eco-friendly system.
Integrating renewable energy into agriculture offers a transformative opportunity to build resilient and sustainable farming systems while addressing climate change. Technologies like solar, wind, and biogas not only enhance productivity but also provide rural communities with new livelihoods, as highlighted by IRENA’s projection of 43 million jobs by 2050. By adopting these innovations, we can transition from traditional, unsustainable practices to regenerative systems that sustain food production, restore the environment, and ensure long-term sustainability for future generations.
The author is Country Director, Sistema.bio