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Clean Technologies in Agriculture—How to Prioritise Measures?

Author

Listed:
  • Deborah Scharfy

    (Institute of Natural Resource Sciences, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, 8820 Wädenswil, Switzerland)

  • Norman Boccali

    (Former Student at Institute of Natural Resource Sciences, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, 8820 Wädenswil, Switzerland)

  • Matthias Stucki

    (Institute of Natural Resource Sciences, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, 8820 Wädenswil, Switzerland)

Abstract

As agriculture continues to be under pressure due to its negative environmental impacts, resource-efficiency and the use of clean technologies gain importance. Meanwhile, there is an abundance of technological solutions that help “clean” agriculture’s hotspots, either by reducing inputs, by producing renewable energy or by protecting ecosystems. Decisions about clean technologies remain difficult due to the variety of options, difficulties in cost-benefit calculations, and potential trade-offs in sustainability. We therefore addressed the issue of decision-making regarding clean technologies in agriculture. A multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) was used to rank the most sustainable technologies. Evaluation of 17 selected clean technologies was based on literature information and expert opinion. Wireless sensor irrigation networks, frequency converters for vacuum pumps and stable air conditioning, PV electricity and drip irrigation were the five technologies with the highest sustainability scores, outperforming the 12 other clean technologies. When all sustainability dimensions and criteria were equally weighted, PV electricity was superseded by variable speed drive technology for irrigation in the top five. This paper shows that MCDAs are a useful method for choosing between sustainable clean technology options. By applying different weighting, the MCDA can reflect the priorities of the decision maker and provide customised results.

Suggested Citation

  • Deborah Scharfy & Norman Boccali & Matthias Stucki, 2017. "Clean Technologies in Agriculture—How to Prioritise Measures?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(8), pages 1-22, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:9:y:2017:i:8:p:1303-:d:106001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Carlos Bautista-Capetillo & Hugo Márquez-Villagrana & Anuard Pacheco-Guerrero & Julián González-Trinidad & Hugo Júnez-Ferreira & Manuel Zavala-Trejo, 2018. "Cropping System Diversification: Water Consumption against Crop Production," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-11, June.
    2. Sarah Wettstein & Karen Muir & Deborah Scharfy & Matthias Stucki, 2017. "The Environmental Mitigation Potential of Photovoltaic-Powered Irrigation in the Production of South African Maize," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-20, September.
    3. Hanna Kröhnert & Matthias Stucki, 2021. "Life Cycle Assessment of a Plant-Based, Regionally Marketed Shampoo and Analysis of Refill Options," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-21, July.

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