Scholarlink

<p>This research enhances energy efficiency and minimizes the environmental footprint of alfalfa production in Ivan City, Iran, using an integrated Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach. Data were collected from 30 local farmers through structured questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. LCA evaluated environmental impacts, while DEA optimized energy use. Key energy performance indicators include an energy ratio of 2.57, energy productivity of 0.16&#xa0;kg&#xa0;MJ<sup>−1</sup> and specific energy of 7.25&#xa0;MJ&#xa0;ha<sup>−1</sup> with total energy input at 76,237.85&#xa0;MJ&#xa0;ha<sup>−1</sup> and output at 195,656.67&#xa0;MJ&#xa0;ha<sup>−1</sup>. LCA results show that optimized practices reduced environmental impacts across most of the 15 midpoint categories assessed. Specifically, the Global Warming Potential (GWP) decreased by 6.8% from 1413.75 to 1318.14&#xa0;kg CO<sub>2</sub> eq per ton, driven by reduced diesel fuel (14%) and electricity (55%) consumption. DEA, using the Variable Returns to Scale (VRS) model, revealed that 33.34% of farms achieved full technical efficiency, with average overall, pure technical and scale efficiencies of 85.74, 91.25, and 87.31%, respectively. These findings highlight significant potential for improving energy efficiency and environmental sustainability in alfalfa cultivation through targeted optimization, supporting resource-efficient practices and climate change mitigation in semi-arid agricultural systems.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Energy optimization and life cycle environmental impacts of alfalfa production in Iran: a DEA-LCA approach

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月2日

查看全文
  • Amirreza Heydarizadeh,
  • Amir Azizpanah,
  • Somayeh Kohi,
  • Morteza Taki

摘要

This research enhances energy efficiency and minimizes the environmental footprint of alfalfa production in Ivan City, Iran, using an integrated Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach. Data were collected from 30 local farmers through structured questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. LCA evaluated environmental impacts, while DEA optimized energy use. Key energy performance indicators include an energy ratio of 2.57, energy productivity of 0.16 kg MJ−1 and specific energy of 7.25 MJ ha−1 with total energy input at 76,237.85 MJ ha−1 and output at 195,656.67 MJ ha−1. LCA results show that optimized practices reduced environmental impacts across most of the 15 midpoint categories assessed. Specifically, the Global Warming Potential (GWP) decreased by 6.8% from 1413.75 to 1318.14 kg CO2 eq per ton, driven by reduced diesel fuel (14%) and electricity (55%) consumption. DEA, using the Variable Returns to Scale (VRS) model, revealed that 33.34% of farms achieved full technical efficiency, with average overall, pure technical and scale efficiencies of 85.74, 91.25, and 87.31%, respectively. These findings highlight significant potential for improving energy efficiency and environmental sustainability in alfalfa cultivation through targeted optimization, supporting resource-efficient practices and climate change mitigation in semi-arid agricultural systems.

Graphical Abstract