In Agriculture
Energy Efficiency

As the agricultural sector accounts for less than 5% of Türkiye’s total energy consumption, it does not occupy as prominent a place in energy efficiency regulations as the transport, industry and residential sectors. However, with the rapid development of technology, energy consumption in the agricultural sector is increasing faster than the national economy.

Energy efficiency in agriculture aims to reduce production costs by using energy more efficiently in areas such as irrigation, agricultural equipment, greenhouses and animal shelters. Although the agricultural sector accounts for a limited share of total energy consumption, irrigation pumps, tractor fuel, greenhouse climate control and livestock production processes represent significant cost items for farmers.

In addition, animal waste, the use of nitrogen fertilisers, diesel consumption in tractors, and the use of electricity and heat in greenhouses and animal shelters also contribute to greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural sector.
In this context, many countries have launched initiatives on energy efficiency in agriculture and invested in efficient practices and technologies.

Energy use in the agricultural sector can be considered under two headings, direct and indirect energy use, in both crop and livestock production.
In crop production, direct energy use includes tractor fuel, diesel and oil used throughout the process, from soil cultivation to harvesting and processing, as well as electricity used for irrigation and in greenhouses. In livestock production, direct energy inputs include electricity, biomass, coal and natural gas used for activities such as feed preparation and distribution, manure removal and milking, and for lighting, heating, ventilation and cooling in agricultural structures such as animal shelters.
Indirect energy use includes the energy consumed in producing the tools, machinery, equipment, fertilisers, seeds and pesticides used in agricultural production. These energy inputs are generally accounted for within the industrial sector. Sensors used in livestock farming and drone technologies used in agriculture can contribute to more efficient management of fuel and energy use when applied correctly. Digital monitoring, automation and Internet of Things applications in agriculture can help reduce energy consumption per unit of output by limiting unnecessary irrigation, fertilisation, spraying and equipment use. There is also considerable potential for improvement through more traditional practices. Some examples include:

  • Using geothermal energy for soil improvement, drying agricultural products, heating soil in open agricultural areas, fish farming and mushroom production
  • Using solar energy for applications such as greenhouse climate control, product drying and soil disinfection
  • Using all suitable forms of agricultural waste to produce gas, including biogas, and electricity, thereby recovering a significant proportion of the energy used in production
  • Using natural chambers formed in soft rock structures as cold storage facilities and minimising the electricity required for cooling
  • Automating the management of heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting systems in large barns, sheepfolds and animal shelters, and considering passive solar systems, heat pump applications and rooftop solar panels

Electricity is used where irrigation is carried out through pumping. Even where water is conveyed naturally to agricultural production areas through gravity fed lines, fossil fuel or electric pumps may still be required to distribute it from the edge of the field across the land. In many applications, water must also be pumped from underground to the surface before irrigation can take place.
In Türkiye, which is experiencing water stress, groundwater levels have fallen in many basins in recent years, increasing well depths. Pumping water from greater depths can significantly increase electricity consumption. This results in higher electricity bills and input costs and reduces the profitability of agricultural production.
Although this is not a direct energy regulation, using drip irrigation systems instead of conventional irrigation systems makes it possible to reduce both water and electricity consumption.
Improving the energy efficiency of electrically powered or diesel powered pumps is another important measure that can be taken in irrigation. Initial steps include determining the required pump load, selecting appropriately sized pumps and, where necessary, equipping them with speed control devices or variable speed drives.
Pumps powered entirely by solar energy, or hybrid pumps supported by solar energy, can also deliver considerable energy savings, particularly in areas with high solar potential, such as the southern provinces.

Various technologies and resources can be used to improve energy efficiency in agricultural activities, thereby reducing operating costs, energy consumption and environmental impacts. The efficiency of the vehicles, tools and equipment used in agricultural production directly affects energy efficiency in many respects. The main factors affecting the efficiency of equipment used in the planting, harvesting, separation, sorting and transportation of agricultural products, including tractors, combine harvesters, fertiliser spreaders, sprayers, threshers, balers, ploughs, cultivators and bagging machines, include:

  • Selecting engine power according to actual needs and setting tyre pressure correctly
  • Ensuring that the capacities of the transport vehicle and auxiliary equipment are compatible
  • Distributing loads evenly
  • Regularly monitoring oil and fuel consumption and carrying out periodic maintenance


Tractors with electronic infrastructure, including tractors using CAN bus protocols, equipment compatible with smart agricultural technologies and digital monitoring systems are also expected to support energy efficiency more broadly. Electric tractors are expected to become a more energy efficient option in the medium and long term.