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Farm biogas production in organic agriculture: System implications

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  • Siegmeier, Torsten
  • Blumenstein, Benjamin
  • Möller, Detlev

Abstract

Current global energy needs and the effort to substitute fossil fuels have led to extensive production of biomass in agricultural systems for purposes of renewable and more sustainable energy. At the same time, large-scale industrialized energy crop production is criticized for various sustainability issues. Organic farming systems are said to alleviate the environmental burden of agricultural production by minimizing negative externalities and generating ecological benefits. However, organic agriculture is challenged for its lower productivity. Considering this food–energy–climate nexus, a large-scale conversion of agricultural land to organic management seems infeasible. Against this backdrop, this article presents the analysis of a combined system of organic farming and biomass energy production. With a systems approach, multiple agronomic effects caused by anaerobic digestion of residue and waste biomass in organic agriculture were reviewed and transferred into a conceptual diagrammatic model of a single farm. Dimensions reviewed include nitrogen dynamics, crop yield, product quality, crop rotations, weeds, plant health, and soil fertility. The systems analysis showed that farm biogas production bears potentials to enhance overall nitrogen supply and nitrogen use efficiency and to reduce labor and energy costs of the organic farm. System implications of these agronomical effects include changes in farm productivity, stability, and resilience. Through biogas integration organic farms may contribute to renewable energy supply without additional need for land, while simultaneously increasing food output and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from livestock manure. Therefore, this study indicates possibilities for the eco-functional intensification of organic farming systems that may contribute to solving the food–energy–climate nexus.

Suggested Citation

  • Siegmeier, Torsten & Blumenstein, Benjamin & Möller, Detlev, 2015. "Farm biogas production in organic agriculture: System implications," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 196-209.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:agisys:v:139:y:2015:i:c:p:196-209
    DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2015.07.006
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    1. Benjamin Blumenstein & Torsten Siegmeier & Carsten Bruckhaus & Victor Anspach & Detlev Möller, 2015. "Integrated Bioenergy and Food Production—A German Survey on Structure and Developments of Anaerobic Digestion in Organic Farming Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(8), pages 1-24, August.
    2. Koppelmäki, Kari & Parviainen, Tuure & Virkkunen, Elina & Winquist, Erika & Schulte, Rogier P.O. & Helenius, Juha, 2019. "Ecological intensification by integrating biogas production into nutrient cycling: Modeling the case of Agroecological Symbiosis," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 170(C), pages 39-48.
    3. Schaffer, Axel & Düvelmeyer, Claudia, 2016. "Regional drivers of on-farm energy production in Bavaria," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 361-369.
    4. Susanne Theuerl & Christiane Herrmann & Monika Heiermann & Philipp Grundmann & Niels Landwehr & Ulrich Kreidenweis & Annette Prochnow, 2019. "The Future Agricultural Biogas Plant in Germany: A Vision," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-32, January.
    5. Ching-Cheng Shen & Yen-Rung Chang & Der-Jen Liu, 2020. "Rural Tourism and Environmental Sustainability—A Study on a Model for Assessing the Developmental Potential of Organic Agritourism," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-16, November.
    6. Kari-Anne Lyng & Mia Bjerkestrand & Aina Elstad Stensgård & Pieter Callewaert & Ole Jørgen Hanssen, 2018. "Optimising Anaerobic Digestion of Manure Resources at a Regional Level," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-18, January.
    7. Blumenstein, Benjamin & Siegmeier, Torsten & Selsam, Franziska & Möller, Detlev, 2018. "A case of sustainable intensification: Stochastic farm budget optimization considering internal economic benefits of biogas production in organic agriculture," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 159(C), pages 78-92.
    8. Camila Fritzen Cidón & Paola Schmitt Figueiró & Dusan Schreiber, 2021. "Benefits of Organic Agriculture under the Perspective of the Bioeconomy: A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-19, June.
    9. Sylwia Roszkowska & Natalia Szubska-Włodarczyk, 2022. "What are the barriers to agricultural biomass market development? The case of Poland," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 42(1), pages 75-84, March.

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