IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v15y2023i11p8771-d1158755.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Multi-Objective Optimization of Integrated Crop–Livestock Systems: Exploring Resource Allocation Based on Emergy Evaluation

Author

Listed:
  • Xiao Chen

    (College of Information Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
    Institute of Smart Agriculture, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China)

  • Zeyuan He

    (College of Information Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China)

  • Huarui Wu

    (National Engineering Research Center for Information Technology in Agriculture, Beijing 100097, China)

  • Changji Wen

    (College of Information Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
    Institute of Smart Agriculture, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China)

  • Tao Tao

    (College of Information Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China)

  • Xinyu Yang

    (College of Information Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China)

  • You Tang

    (Institute of Smart Agriculture, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China)

  • Hongliang Guo

    (College of Information Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
    Institute of Smart Agriculture, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China)

  • Helong Yu

    (College of Information Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
    Institute of Smart Agriculture, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China)

Abstract

Integrated crop–livestock systems (ICLSs) can improve the sustainability of agriculture. The configuration of an ICLS to achieve sustainable development while maintaining the effectiveness of resource utilization is complicated due to conflicts between economic performance and environmental protection. In this paper, a novel optimization model-based emergy evaluation (OMEE) method is proposed for ICLS configuration. OMEE encompasses an emergy analysis and an improved non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II) programming model. Based on the emergy analysis, the emergy economic efficiency index (EYR), emergy environmental efficiency index (ELR) and emergy sustainability index (ESI) are used for the sustainable development evaluation, and the results provided the basis for the objective function for economic and environmental equilibrium. Considering programming issues, the configured initial data and hierarchical evaluation results are integrated into the improved NSGA-II (CIHE-NSGA-II) model. This model is capable of (1) configuring the initial solution based on original farming data and (2) performing hierarchical evaluations of EYR, ELR and ESI based on bilevel programming. This exploratory approach was verified based on a real case study in northern China. The results showed that the ESI increased by 16.8% when the proposed approach was applied. This simulation research demonstrates the usefulness of CIHE-NSGA II in optimizing the allocation of resources in ICLSs, and OMEE can provide evaluation results that aid in meeting decision-making goals and configuring crop and livestock resources.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiao Chen & Zeyuan He & Huarui Wu & Changji Wen & Tao Tao & Xinyu Yang & You Tang & Hongliang Guo & Helong Yu, 2023. "Multi-Objective Optimization of Integrated Crop–Livestock Systems: Exploring Resource Allocation Based on Emergy Evaluation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-17, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:11:p:8771-:d:1158755
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/11/8771/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/11/8771/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jiang, M.M. & Chen, B. & Zhou, J.B. & Tao, F.R. & Li, Z. & Yang, Z.F. & Chen, G.Q., 2007. "Emergy account for biomass resource exploitation by agriculture in China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 35(9), pages 4704-4719, September.
    2. Shuqin Jin & Bin Zhang & Bi Wu & Dongmei Han & Yu Hu & Chenchen Ren & Chuanzhen Zhang & Xun Wei & Yan Wu & Arthur P. J. Mol & Stefan Reis & Baojing Gu & Jie Chen, 2021. "Decoupling livestock and crop production at the household level in China," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 4(1), pages 48-55, January.
    3. Li, Mo & Fu, Qiang & Singh, Vijay P. & Liu, Dong & Li, Jiang, 2020. "Optimization of sustainable bioenergy production considering energy-food-water-land nexus and livestock manure under uncertainty," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    4. Sheng Hang & Jing Li & Xiangbo Xu & Yun Lyu & Yang Li & Huarui Gong & Yan Xu & Zhu Ouyang, 2021. "An Optimization Scheme of Balancing GHG Emission and Income in Circular Agriculture System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-15, June.
    5. Groot, Jeroen C.J. & Oomen, Gerard J.M. & Rossing, Walter A.H., 2012. "Multi-objective optimization and design of farming systems," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 63-77.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Duan, N. & Liu, X.D. & Dai, J. & Lin, C. & Xia, X.H. & Gao, R.Y. & Wang, Y. & Chen, S.Q. & Yang, J. & Qi, J., 2011. "Evaluating the environmental impacts of an urban wetland park based on emergy accounting and life cycle assessment: A case study in Beijing," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 222(2), pages 351-359.
    2. Schreefel, L. & de Boer, I.J.M. & Timler, C.J. & Groot, J.C.J. & Zwetsloot, M.J. & Creamer, R.E. & Schrijver, A. Pas & van Zanten, H.H.E. & Schulte, R.P.O., 2022. "How to make regenerative practices work on the farm: A modelling framework," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 198(C).
    3. Moojen, Fernanda Gomes & Ryschawy, Julie & dos Santos, Davi Teixeira & Barth Neto, Armindo & Vieira, Paulo Cardozo & Portella, Elisa & de Faccio Carvalho, Paulo César, 2022. "The farm coaching experience to support the transition to integrated crop–livestock systems: From gaming to action," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 196(C).
    4. Machado, R.L. & Abreu, M.R., 2024. "Multi-objective optimization of the first and second-generation ethanol supply chain in Brazil using the water-energy-food-land nexus approach," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 193(C).
    5. Chen, Dan & Webber, Michael & Chen, Jing & Luo, Zhaohui, 2011. "Emergy evaluation perspectives of an irrigation improvement project proposal in China," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 70(11), pages 2154-2162, September.
    6. Timler, Carl & Alvarez, Stéphanie & DeClerck, Fabrice & Remans, Roseline & Raneri, Jessica & Estrada Carmona, Natalia & Mashingaidze, Nester & Abe Chatterjee, Shantonu & Chiang, Tsai Wei & Termote, Ce, 2020. "Exploring solution spaces for nutrition-sensitive agriculture in Kenya and Vietnam," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 180(C).
    7. Chen, G.Q. & Jiang, M.M. & Yang, Z.F. & Chen, B. & Ji, Xi & Zhou, J.B., 2009. "Exergetic assessment for ecological economic system: Chinese agriculture," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 220(3), pages 397-410.
    8. Karner, Katrin & Schmid, Erwin & Schneider, Uwe A. & Mitter, Hermine, 2021. "Computing stochastic Pareto frontiers between economic and environmental goals for a semi-arid agricultural production region in Austria," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 185(C).
    9. Britz, Wolfgang & Ciaian, Pavel & Gocht, Alexander & Kanellopoulos, Argyris & Kremmydas, Dimitrios & Müller, Marc & Petsakos, Athanasios & Reidsma, Pytrik, 2021. "A design for a generic and modular bio-economic farm model," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    10. Villalba, D. & Díez-Unquera, B. & Carrascal, A. & Bernués, A. & Ruiz, R., 2019. "Multi-objective simulation and optimisation of dairy sheep farms: Exploring trade-offs between economic and environmental outcomes," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 173(C), pages 107-118.
    11. Cui, Yunfei & Geng, Zhiqiang & Zhu, Qunxiong & Han, Yongming, 2017. "Review: Multi-objective optimization methods and application in energy saving," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 681-704.
    12. Hua, En & Han, Xinxueqi & Bai, Yawen & Engel, Bernard A. & Li, Xin & Sun, Shikun & Wang, Yubao, 2023. "Synergy of water use in water-energy-food nexus from a symbiosis perspective: A case study in China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 283(C).
    13. Xiaoxian Zhang & Fang Ma, 2015. "Emergy Evaluation of Different Straw Reuse Technologies in Northeast China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(9), pages 1-18, August.
    14. Liu, G.Y. & Yang, Z.F. & Chen, B. & Ulgiati, S., 2009. "Emergy-based urban health evaluation and development pattern analysis," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 220(18), pages 2291-2301.
    15. Cooper, Gregory S. & Rich, Karl M. & Shankar, Bhavani & Rana, Vinay & Ratna, Nazmun N. & Kadiyala, Suneetha & Alam, Mohammad J. & Nadagouda, Sharan B., 2021. "Identifying ‘win-win-win’ futures from inequitable value chain trade-offs: A system dynamics approach," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 190(C).
    16. Zou, Haiyang & Fan, Junliang & Zhang, Fucang & Xiang, Youzhen & Wu, Lifeng & Yan, Shicheng, 2020. "Optimization of drip irrigation and fertilization regimes for high grain yield, crop water productivity and economic benefits of spring maize in Northwest China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 230(C).
    17. Cortez-Arriola, José & Groot, Jeroen C.J. & Rossing, Walter A.H. & Scholberg, Johannes M.S. & Améndola Massiotti, Ricardo D. & Tittonell, Pablo, 2016. "Alternative options for sustainable intensification of smallholder dairy farms in North-West Michoacán, Mexico," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 22-32.
    18. Yue, Qiong & Guo, Ping, 2021. "Managing agricultural water-energy-food-environment nexus considering water footprint and carbon footprint under uncertainty," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 252(C).
    19. Kocjančič, Tina & Debeljak, Marko & Žgajnar, Jaka & Juvančič, Luka, 2018. "Incorporation of emergy into multiple-criteria decision analysis for sustainable and resilient structure of dairy farms in Slovenia," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 164(C), pages 71-83.
    20. Dowson, Oscar & Philpott, Andy & Mason, Andrew & Downward, Anthony, 2019. "A multi-stage stochastic optimization model of a pastoral dairy farm," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 274(3), pages 1077-1089.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:11:p:8771-:d:1158755. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.