Energy management in crop production Devasenapathy P.*, Senthilkumar G., Shanmugam P.M. Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641 003. *Corresponding author: (E-mail: devasenapathy@tnau.ac.in)
Invited lecture delivered by senior author at National Symposium on ‘New Paradigms in Agronomic Reserach’ held at Navasari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat during 19–21, November 2008. 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 productive 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. Top Key words Crop management, Energy management, Energy policies, Energy sources. Top |