Contribution of Renewable Energy Resources for Food Production and Food Security

The escalating demand for food, along with the fluctuating price of fossil fuels, has prompted Sri Lanka to investigate environmentally benign alternative energy sources. The feasibility of renewable energy sources in the agricultural production process will put the country on a secure footing in the face of an energy crisis and rising demand for fossil fuels. Solar energy is a more abundant resource in Sri Lanka and proper harvesting of solar photovoltaic and thermal energies will result in a contribution to energy needs for food production. Solar dryers, solar irrigation systems, and solar photovoltaics are only a few of the solar energy harvesting systems. Harvesting techniques that harness the kinetic energy of the wind for purposes such as water pumping, building heating, and product processing and storage would aid farmers in improving food production. Geothermal energy is an expensive resource to harness but used in some places in Sri Lanka. Bioenergy which includes bioresources, bioresidues, and biofuels can support a considerable portion of required energy. However, the use of renewable energy sources in food production in Sri Lanka is limited by economic, institutional, technological, and sociocultural factors. As a result, the responsible parties’ efforts to promote all renewable energy sources among farmers and food production enterprises would alleviate the burden of national energy demand. Implementing policies to promote renewable energy usage with better technologies to extract energy is essential for ensuring future food demand in Sri Lanka with the least burden on the country’s economy and the environment.