energy subsidies

• an energy subsidy in an agricultural system is any input that aids productivity but requires the use of energy
• major agricultural subsidies

  • manufacture of nitrate fertilisers
  • manufacture of pesticides
  • pumping of irrigation water
  • fuel for machinery for ploughing, spraying, harvesting
  • energy for the manufacture of machinery and equipment
  • heat for drying harvested grain
  • processing of food for consumers
  • transport of food to consumers
• • as agricultural systems have become more productive and more intensive, they have become increasingly dependent on energy subsidies, especially energy from fossil fuels
  • it may be difficult to maintain or increase food production if abundant energy supplies cannot be maintained