Energy management in crop production

Abstract

In India, agriculture not only provides food for all, but also employment to 70% of the population, generates 40% of the national income and consumes about 10% of the commercial forms of energy. Crop cultivation requires application of both animate (bullock, human power) and inanimate (tractors, tillers etc.) forms of energy at different stages. Nutrients are provided through farmyard manure, chemical fertilizer or both. Pesticides are required to check or prevent pest attack. Irrigation is done either manually (manually and animal operated) or through diesel/ electric pumpsets (to lift ground water). To meet the basic food needs of our expanding human population, a pro- ductive sustainable agricultural system must become a major priority.The depletable resources are fossil fuels, which are non - renewable since the rate of their utilization far exceeds the rate at which they are formed.