Over the past three decades it has become increasingly evident that farming and food systems need fundamental transformations to enable pathways towards sustainability. The global community is becoming increasingly concerned about the high dependence of the global food sector on fossil fuels. The use of fossil fuels by agriculture has made a significant contribution to producing enough food over the last few decades. Energy from fossil fuels has increased farm mechanization, boosted fertilizer production and improved food processing and transportation. The food sector today is responsible for nearly 30% of global energy use. In wealthier countries, much of this energy goes into processing, packaging, and transportation, while in lower-income regions, a significant portion is used for cooking and basic food preparation. Altogether, the food system generates over 20% greenhouse gas emissions, making it a major contributor to climate change.

Modern agriculture is entering a new era, one where energy is no longer just a cost, but a key factor in resilience, productivity, and sustainability. For decades, energy use in farming has been driven by fuel‑intensive practices and high‑input models. But as prices rise, emissions targets tighten, and technology advances, a shift is underway. The focus is turning toward energy efficiency, doing more with less, without compromising output.

Although entities across the agri‑food supply chain, from smallholder farms and food processors to retailers and distributors, differ greatly in size, financial resources, operational models, and technology adoption, they all depend on energy to power machinery, illuminate facilities, regulate temperature and airflow (HVAC), and handle water and waste management. It then considers a sample of energy efficiency measures which are generally applicable to all stages of the food chain both relatively low‑cost operational changes and more substantial measures which require further investment. It looks beyond energy conservation measures to include waste and water reduction and waste‑to‑energy investments as potential “win‑win” means to reduce food chain fossil fuel consumption and waste, in addition to GHG emissions.

Energy demand for primary production can be reduced by either lowering energy intensities or shifting production toward commodities that require less energy inputs. Because farms use only a small share of a country’s total energy each year, improving energy efficiency in primary production alone won’t make a big impact on reducing national energy consumption. Energy‑saving measures can significantly reduce production costs without affecting productivity, thereby increasing the profitability of individual enterprises such as in capture fisheries where boats have high fuel consumption. Besides containing costs, energy efficiency can also help make food production less vulnerable to energy supply interruptions and reduce GHG emissions. Some examples include:

• Irrigation
• Fertilizers
• Crop protection  
• Conservation agriculture

Energy is crucial for economic growth and a critical component in the agro‑food sector’s ability to boost productivity, competitiveness, and sustainability. Using less energy to deliver the same level of output and service is an important tool that policy makers can employ to achieve multiple goals: economic growth, greenhouse gas reduction, energy security, and food security. The synergy and overlapping policy goals between energy efficiency, waste reduction, and emissions mitigation are increasingly recognized, even as conceptual and methodological challenges in measuring energy use and efficiency persist.

Increasing dependence on energy usage, mainly fossil fuels, throughout the entire food chain raises serious concerns about the impact of volatile energy prices on production costs, competitiveness, and the final price of food for consumers, as well as overall energy security. In addition to these concerns, energy use in the food chain has substantial environmental impacts, notably greenhouse gas emissions. While progress toward greater efficiency has been made, both private and public sectors must do more to fully realize the energy efficiency potential of the agri‑food system.

Farmers using precision agriculture apply AI to track crop moisture, soil composition, and temperature across their fields, helping them determine the optimal use of water and fertilizers to improve yields. When AI models are combined with real-time data from IoT sensors, they enable detailed sensitivity analyses—like forecasting how a 10% cut in irrigation or a spike in energy demand might affect outcomes. These variables become manageable, not guesswork. Through these digital tools and intelligent systems, agriculture can move from reactive to proactive energy management, unlocking new pathways to sustainable, efficient, and resilient food production.

Smart systems can suggest the most energy-efficient time of day to irrigate, or signal when machinery maintenance will prevent energy loss. Over time, farms become more self-aware, more resource-efficient, and more resilient to change. At the heart of this transformation is the ability to turn data into action. But energy efficiency isn’t just a technical challenge it’s also a management one. Many farms are starting to adopt digital dashboards that combine weather forecasts, soil data, and power usage into a single interface. This allows decision making to be both strategic and immediate. A simple change like adjusting irrigation schedules or switching equipment off during peak demand can translate into measurable gains.
In the long run, smart energy management is not only about reducing input costs—it’s about building a future where agriculture thrives in balance with nature, technology, and society.

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