The human population on the planet is estimated to reach 9 billion by 2050; this requires significant increase of food production to meet the demands. Intensified farming systems have been identified as a viable means to increase grain production. Crop production inputs include carbon investment in the form of energy, for the manufacture and use of farm machinery, synthetic fertilizers, crop protection chemicals such as herbicides, insecticides and fungicides, groundwater irrigation and the direct use of fuel in farm operations. Such production technology operations in the agriculture sector contribute to Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. On-farm cultivation operations also result in the loss of soil organic matter (SOM), hence another source of carbon (C) emission. Changes in cropland use and management practices influence direct and indirect energy consumption and emission of GHGs. |
