Trends and Future Directions in Crop Energy Analyses: A Focus on Iran

Narges Banaeian, Morteza Zangeneh and Sean Clark
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Narges Banaeian: Department of Agricultural Mechanization Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht 4199613776, Iran
Morteza Zangeneh: Department of Agricultural Mechanization Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht 4199613776, Iran
Sean Clark: Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Berea College, Berea, KY 40404, USA

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 23, 1-23

Abstract: This systematic review critically analyzes the literature on the study of energy-use patterns in agricultural crop systems in Iran. We examine the relevant methodologies and research trends from 2008 to 2019, a particularly active and productive period. Initially, we find researchers using energy audits and regression modeling to estimate energy-use patterns. Then economic and environmental-emissions audits are more commonly incorporated into analyses. Finally, the application of different Artificial Intelligence (AI) methods are observed in papers. The main focus of this study is on energy-use patterns, economic modelling, and environmental emissions. We then address critical issues, including sample size, energy equivalents, and additional practical energy-saving recommendations which can be considered by researchers in future analyses. The application of AI in the analysis of agricultural systems, and how it can be used to achieve sustainable agriculture, is discussed with the aim of providing guidelines for researchers interested in energy flow in agricultural systems, especially in Iran. To achieve sustainable agriculture systems, we recommend more attention be given toward considering the impact of social factors in addition to energy, environmental and economic factors. Finally, this review should guide other researchers in choosing appropriate crop types and regions in need study to avoid repetitive studies.

Keywords: energy; environmental and economic assessment; agricultural systems; sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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