3.2 Green rural energy solutions - Clean energy solutions for agriculture on-farm

Energy-efficient technologies are transforming agriculture in rural Asia. Innovations such as solar-powered irrigation and biomass-fueled machinery help farmers reduce reliance on traditional fuels, lower emissions, optimize resources, and enhance productivity, sustainability, and food security in areas with limited energy access.

The relationship between agriculture and climate change is reciprocal: agriculture significantly contributes to climate change, and it is, in turn, highly affected by its impacts. Approximately one-quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions stem from food and agriculture. These emissions are driven not only by energy use, such as fossil fuel-powered machinery and the energy-intensive processing and distribution of food, but also by non-energy sources including methane from livestock and rice cultivation, nitrous oxide from fertilizer application, and carbon stock released through deforestation and land-use change (figure 3.2). Conversely, agriculture is highly susceptible to climate change, facing altered weather patterns and more frequent extreme events such as heat waves, droughts, storms and floods, which threaten crop yields and food security. Agriculture therefore requires climate strategies that integrate both adaptation and mitigation efforts, for example, shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources while ensuring that farmers’ adaptive capacity is not compromised (IWMI, 2023a)IWMI (2023a). Energizing agriculture and enabling just energy transitions in south asia. International Water Management Institute (IWMI). Available at: .

Importantly, agriculture is unique among economic sectors in that it is both a consumer and a producer of energy. Beyond its energy demand, it also contributes to energy supply through bioenergy – such as crop residues, livestock waste and dedicated energy crops – which can support rural energy access and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

Agriculture also holds the potential to mitigate climate change. Farmland crops, hedgerows and agroforestry capture carbon through photosynthesis and store it in soil and biomass. Well-managed soils and protected grasslands offer long-term carbon storage, contributing to climate mitigation (European Commission, 2025)European Commission (2025). Tackling climate change. . In addition, practices such as precision farming and the use of renewable energy can lower emissions and bolster resilience to environmental changes, which are discussed later in this sub-chapter and also in the energy and mitigation edition of the Green Technology Book.

Agriculture is unique among economic sectors in that it is both a consumer and a producer of energy

In Asia, rice cultivation is a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane, due to traditional flooded farming methods. As a staple for 3.5 billion people and accounting for 8% of global crop output by weight, rice is especially significant in countries like Bangladesh, China, India and Indonesia. It contributes 10% of global methane emissions, with Southeast Asia accounting for 25% to 33% of the region’s total methane output (Umali-Deininger, 2022)Umali-Deininger, Dina (2022). Greening the rice we eat. Washington, DC: World Bank. . Adopting more sustainable practices such as alternate wetting and drying (AWD), improved land leveling and better seed varieties can lower emissions while boosting yields and resilience. This chapter highlights an array of such technological innovations aimed at reducing emissions and energy usage in regional agricultural production.

Technological development and trends

Energy consumption in the food production stage

Agri-food chains contribute to approximately 30% of global energy consumption (IRENA and FAO, 2021)IRENA and FAO (2021). Renewable energy for agri-food systems: Towards the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement. Rome: International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA); Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Available at: https://www.fao.org/3/cb7433en/cb7433en.pdf.. As shown in figure 3.3, most of the energy used is in the post-harvest stages of food processing, distribution, preparation and cooking, primarily in the form of fossil fuels. The post-harvest energy technologies and trends will be further explored in the next sub-chapter, while retail and cooking are discussed in the hospitality and rural chapters of this book as well as in the Green Technology Book, Energy edition.

Energy use during agricultural production involves the consumption of energy for various inputs, including the production of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and feed, as well as the operation of machinery such as irrigation pumps and tractors, heating or cooling animal stables, aerating fishponds and managing protected cropping systems like greenhouses (Magalhaes et al., 2021Magalhaes, M;, C Ringler, Shilp Verma and Petra Schmitter (2021). Accelerating rural energy access for agricultural transformation: contribution of the CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems to transforming food, land and water systems in a climate crisis. Colombo, Sri Lanka: Available at: https://cgspace.cgiar.org/items/1ebf300e-c93f-4505-8d98-1c26f0186536.; IRENA and FAO, 2021IRENA and FAO (2021). Renewable energy for agri-food systems: Towards the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement. Rome: International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA); Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Available at: https://www.fao.org/3/cb7433en/cb7433en.pdf.). Nitrogen fertilizer alone contributes roughly 2% of all global GHG emissions (CIEL, 2022)CIEL (2022). Fossils, fertilizers, and false solutions: how laundering fossil fuels in agrochemicals puts the climate and the planet at risk. The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), Available at: https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Fossils-Fertilizers-and-False-Solutions.pdf..

Over the past two decades, energy consumption in Asia’s agriculture sector has increased as farming has become more mechanized (IRENA and FAO, 2021)IRENA and FAO (2021). Renewable energy for agri-food systems: Towards the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement. Rome: International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA); Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Available at: https://www.fao.org/3/cb7433en/cb7433en.pdf.. By 2050, South Asia’s population is projected to reach 2.3 billion, with cereal demand expected to double (Neupane et al., 2022)Neupane, Nilhari, Pashupati Chaudhary, Yashoda Rijal and Bishal and Bhandari Ghimire, Roshan (2022). he role of renewable energy in achieving water, energy, and food security under climate change constraints in South Asia. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 6.. In addition, rapid urbanization and rising incomes are also driving a shift from starch-based to protein-rich diets, such as meat and dairy, which are more energy- and water-intensive. From 2009 to 2019, energy consumption in the agriculture sector grew by 35% in Asia, reaching over 8 million tonnes oil equivalent (MTOE), which accounted for about 2% of the region’s total final energy consumption in 2019 (IRENA, 2022)IRENA (2022). Renewable energy for agriculture: Insights from Southeast Asia,. Abu Dhabi: International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Available at: https://www.irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2022/Jun/IRENA_Renewables_Agriculture_SEAsia_2022.pdf.. Figure 3.4 shows that in Southeast Asia’s major agriculture-intensive countries, a significant portion of this energy is derived from fossil fuels, including oil products and electricity (IRENA, 2022)IRENA (2022). Renewable energy for agriculture: Insights from Southeast Asia,. Abu Dhabi: International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Available at: https://www.irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2022/Jun/IRENA_Renewables_Agriculture_SEAsia_2022.pdf.. These fuels primarily power on-farm equipment like pumps, tractors etc. However, rising fuel costs and unreliable electricity access are making it harder for smallholder farmers to adopt energy-dependent technologies, increasing production costs and widening rural inequalities. Optimizing land use, enhancing energy efficiency, reducing fossil fuel use and minimizing environmental impacts are all essential components of sustainable agriculture (Chandio et al., 2024)Chandio, Abbas, Korhan Gokmenoglu, Devi Dash, Irfan Khan, Fayyaz Ahmad and Jiang Yuansheng (2024). Exploring the energy-climate-agriculture (ECA) nexus: a roadmap toward agricultural sustainability in Asian countries. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 27, 12769–95..

Irrigation is the main on-farm energy consumer in Asia

Irrigation plays a pivotal role in ensuring global food security, contributing to 40% of global food production while utilizing only 22% of the planet’s cultivated areas (Feng Qin et al., 2024Qin, Feng, Chengrong Huang and Zhenjie Lin (2024). Big data and artificial intelligence-driven natural disaster prediction and prevention: Technological advances and prospects. Geographical Research Bulletin, 3, 381-98.; Jingxiu Qin et al., 2024Qin, Jingxiu, Weili Duan, Shan Zou, Yaning Chen, Wenjing Huang and Lorenzo Rosa (2024). Global energy use and carbon emissions from irrigated agriculture. Nature Communications, 15(1), 3084.). Combined with improved water harvesting and conservation measures, irrigation can also boost yields, reduce vulnerability to fluctuating rainfall patterns, and support multiple cropping practices (IRENA and FAO, 2021)IRENA and FAO (2021). Renewable energy for agri-food systems: Towards the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement. Rome: International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA); Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Available at: https://www.fao.org/3/cb7433en/cb7433en.pdf.. However, it contributes significantly to environmental challenges, accounting for 216 million metric tonnes of CO₂ emissions and consuming 1,896 petajoules of energy annually, about 15% of global agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and energy use (Jingxiu Qin et al., 2024)Qin, Jingxiu, Weili Duan, Shan Zou, Yaning Chen, Wenjing Huang and Lorenzo Rosa (2024). Global energy use and carbon emissions from irrigated agriculture. Nature Communications, 15(1), 3084..

Over the past five decades, agriculture has grown increasingly energy-intensive, largely due to the expanding use of groundwater irrigation

Asia accounts for 72% of global irrigation, driven by its intensive agriculture practices to meet significant food demand and the long-standing tradition of irrigated rice cultivation across its tropical regions (Jingxiu Qin et al., 2024Qin, Jingxiu, Weili Duan, Shan Zou, Yaning Chen, Wenjing Huang and Lorenzo Rosa (2024). Global energy use and carbon emissions from irrigated agriculture. Nature Communications, 15(1), 3084.; FAO, 2020bFAO (2020b). Water management in rice in Asia: Some issues for the future. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Available at: https://www.fao.org/4/x6905e/x6905e0g.htm.). Crops have specific water requirements, and these vary depending on local climatic conditions. Producing 1 kg of rice requires an average of 1,432 liters of water and 6.4 MJ of energy, with irrigation and fertilizer application being the primary energy inputs (Nayak et al., 2023)Nayak, Hari Sankar, Chiter Mal Parihar, Sreejith Aravindakshan, João Vasco Silva, Timothy J. Krupnik, Andrew J. McDonald, Suresh K. Kakraliya, Dipaka R. Sena, Virender Kumar, Sonam R. Sherpa, Deepak Bijarniya, Love K. Singh, M. Kumar, Kajod M. Choudhary, S. Kumar, Y. Kumar, Hanuman S. Jat, Harminder S. Sidhu, Mangi L. Jat and Tek B. Sapkota (2023). Pathways and determinants of sustainable energy use for rice farms in India. Energy, 272, 126986. In comparison, an average kilogram of wheat grain produced in Europe demands about 3.25 megajoules of nonrenewable, fossil energy (Achten and Acker, 2016)Achten, Wouter M.J. and Karel Van Acker (2016). EU-Average Impacts of Wheat Production: A Meta-Analysis of Life Cycle Assessments. Journal of Industrial Ecology, 20(1), 132-44.. This highlights the higher resource intensity of rice cultivation, particularly in terms of energy consumption, compared to other staple crops like wheat. During the wet season rice is typically irrigated through rain- and gravity-fed systems where water flows naturally into the rice fields through a network of canals and ditches. However, in the dry season, many farmers depend on pumps, particularly in Southeast Asia. This region is home to 25–30 million agricultural pumps, the largest concentration globally (CGIAR, 2023a)CGIAR (2023a). Energizing Agriculture and Enabling Just Energy Transitions in South Asia. Available at: https://www.cgiar.org/news-events/news/energizing-agriculture-and-enabling-just-energy-transitions-in-south-asia/. As the pumps typically are powered by diesel or electricity, they significantly increase energy demand and carbon emissions. For instance, in India alone, replacing only 5 million diesel pumps with electric pumps has the potential to save almost 10 billion liters of diesel annually, resulting in significant emission reduction (Neupane et al., 2022)Neupane, Nilhari, Pashupati Chaudhary, Yashoda Rijal and Bishal and Bhandari Ghimire, Roshan (2022). he role of renewable energy in achieving water, energy, and food security under climate change constraints in South Asia. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 6.. However, it depends on the electricity being sourced from renewable or low-carbon energy sources.

Over the past five decades, agriculture has grown increasingly energy-intensive, largely due to the expanding use of groundwater irrigation. While surface water remains the primary source, groundwater extraction has surged in countries like Bangladesh, India and Pakistan to support specific crops (FAO, 2020b)FAO (2020b). Water management in rice in Asia: Some issues for the future. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Available at: https://www.fao.org/4/x6905e/x6905e0g.htm.. In Bangladesh, for instance, around 1.6 million pumps are used for groundwater irrigation, with 80% being diesel-powered and primarily supporting “boro” paddy cultivation, a dominant water-intensive post-monsoon crop in the region that relies heavily on groundwater (IWMI, 2023b)IWMI (2023b). Pumping behavior of solar irrigation farmers for assessing the sustainability of groundwater in Bangladesh and India. Available at: https://solar.iwmi.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/43/2023/11/Issue-brief-05.pdf..

The type of pump used varies based on the water source. Surface pumps, drawing water from rivers, lakes or shallow wells, generally consume less energy due to the lower lift required. Groundwater irrigation often depends on submersible pumps operating fully submerged and being efficient in extracting water from significant depths, but requiring more energy (CTCN, 2025)CTCN (2025). Technology Type Group: Renewable energy. Available at: https://www.ctc-n.org/technology-library/renewable-energy/solar-water-pumps.

As global warming and rising energy demands threaten food security, expanding more sustainable irrigation is crucial. Replacing fossil fuel-based pumps with solar irrigation pumps is a promising mitigation strategy, especially in rural areas with limited grid access and rising fuel costs (Senthil Kumar et al., 2020Senthil Kumar, S., Chidambaranathan Bibin, K. Akash, K. Aravindan, M. Kishore and G. Magesh (2020). Solar powered water pumping systems for irrigation: A comprehensive review on developments and prospects towards a green energy approach. Materials Today: Proceedings, 33, 303-07.; CGIAR, 2023CGIAR (2023). Energizing Agriculture and Enabling Just Energy Transitions in South Asia. Available at: https://www.cgiar.org/news-events/news/energizing-agriculture-and-enabling-just-energy-transitions-in-south-asia/). For example, in South Asia, where 60% of farmland is rainfed and depends on increasingly unpredictable weather patterns, solar pumps can boost crop yields by two- to three-fold by enabling affordable and reliable irrigation where diesel or grid electricity is too costly or unavailable, particularly for water-intensive crops like rice and maize (CLASP, 2023)CLASP (2023). Net Zero Heroes: Scaling Efficient Appliances for Climate Change Mitigation, Adaptation & Resilience. Available at: https://www.clasp.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/CLASP-COP28-FullReport-V8-012424.pdf.. Solar pumps use solar energy to power a motor for irrigation, often storing water in tanks for gravity-fed distribution. Both DC or AC based solar pumps can be used, with AC models incorporating a converter for grid-fed night-time irrigation. Brushless DC pumps provide a more energy-efficient, off-grid solution by adjusting motor speed based on solar power and water demand. Variable speed drives allow irrigation systems to operate at optimal efficiency by adjusting water flow based on soil moisture. These systems prevent over-irrigation and reduce unnecessary pump operation, leading to significant energy savings. Further details on various solar pump and motor technologies for energy-efficient irrigation are covered in-depth in the climate change mitigation, adaptation, and energy editions of the https://www.wipo.int/en/web/green-technology-book.

Replacing fossil fuel-based pumps with solar irrigation pumps is a promising mitigation strategy

Although solar water pumps are commercially available, it is yet to reach scale. In India, solar pumps make up only 1% of the total installed pumps (CLASP, 2023)CLASP (2023). Net Zero Heroes: Scaling Efficient Appliances for Climate Change Mitigation, Adaptation & Resilience. Available at: https://www.clasp.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/CLASP-COP28-FullReport-V8-012424.pdf.. The government aims to solarize 3.5 million irrigation pumps – 2 million with standalone solar pumps and 1.5 million by grid-connecting existing agriculture pumps (IWMI, 2023b)IWMI (2023b). Pumping behavior of solar irrigation farmers for assessing the sustainability of groundwater in Bangladesh and India. Available at: https://solar.iwmi.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/43/2023/11/Issue-brief-05.pdf.. Grid-connected pumps can sell back surplus energy to the grid which encourages farmers to use energy and water efficiently to boost income. In Bangladesh, excess electricity from solar pumps is utilized for powering equipment like husking machines, threshing machines, cold storage and supporting aquaculture (IRENA and FAO, 2021)IRENA and FAO (2021). Renewable energy for agri-food systems: Towards the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement. Rome: International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA); Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Available at: https://www.fao.org/3/cb7433en/cb7433en.pdf.. Solar pumps also offer major climate benefits, with life-cycle emissions (in CO₂ equivalent per kWh) 95% to 98% lower than the pumps powered by grid or diesel (IRENA and FAO, 2021)IRENA and FAO (2021). Renewable energy for agri-food systems: Towards the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement. Rome: International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA); Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Available at: https://www.fao.org/3/cb7433en/cb7433en.pdf.. Beyond mitigation, solar pumps also support climate adaptation by enabling irrigation during erratic monsoon years and allowing farmers to diversify into dry-season cropping. However, the upfront cost of solar pumps remains a significant barrier for many smallholder farmers, despite growing subsidy schemes and financing options. Additionally, the availability of solar energy raises concerns over the potential for groundwater over-extraction, especially in regions with weak groundwater governance or limited monitoring.

Reducing energy consumption with different irrigation methods

Adopting highly efficient irrigation methods could potentially reduce global energy consumption for irrigation by half, and also could reduce associated CO₂ emissions by as much as 90%, based on country-specific feasibility of mitigation options (Jingxiu Qin et al., 2024)Qin, Jingxiu, Weili Duan, Shan Zou, Yaning Chen, Wenjing Huang and Lorenzo Rosa (2024). Global energy use and carbon emissions from irrigated agriculture. Nature Communications, 15(1), 3084.. While flood or surface irrigation is most common for rice cultivation, more efficient systems like drip and sprinkler irrigation are increasingly used for other crops to enhance water and fertilizer efficiency. Drip irrigation, in particular, offers significant energy savings primarily by reducing the volume of water that needs to be pumped, as it uses water more efficiently compared to traditional flood or surface irrigation (Arouna et al., 2023)Arouna, Alfassassi, Israel K. Dzomeku, Abdul-Ganiyu Shaibu and Abdul Rahman Nurudeen (2023). Water Management for Sustainable Irrigation in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Production: A Review. Agronomy, 13(6), 1522.. For more details on these and other irrigation methods, please see the Green Technology Book, energy, mitigation and adaptation editions.

Adopting highly efficient irrigation methods could reduce global energy consumption for irrigation by half, and could reduce associated CO₂ emissions by as much as 90%

In recent years, water-saving irrigation methods like alternate wetting and drying (AWD) and system of rice intensification (SRI) have emerged as promising technologies in Asia for rice cultivation, with growing adoption in Bangladesh, China and the Philippines (Johnson et al., 2024Johnson, Jean-Martial, Mathias Becker, Jean Eric P. Kaboré, Elliott Ronald Dossou-Yovo and Kazuki Saito (2024). Alternate wetting and drying: a water-saving technology for sustainable rice production in Burkina Faso? Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 129(1), 93-111.; Zeng et al., 2023Zeng, Yuan-Fu, Ching-Tien Chen and Gwo-Fong Lin (2023). Practical application of an intelligent irrigation system to rice paddies in Taiwan. Agricultural Water Management, 280, 108216.). As an alternative to continuous flooding of rice fields, AWD saves water and hence energy by allowing fields to dry until the sub-surface water level reaches a set threshold and triggers re-flooding. This practice can reduce methane emission by up to 70% (with an average 48% reduction) and save up to 30% water (IRRI, 2019)IRRI (2019). Alternate wetting and drying. International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). Available at: https://ghgmitigation.irri.org/mitigation-technologies/alternate-wetting-and-drying [accessed July 2023].. Further efficiency can be achieved through IoT-based AWD, allowing farmers to optimize water-saving benefits with precise and real-time measurements of soil moisture, water levels and environmental conditions in real time using sensors, automated valves and control systems.

In China and several other countries, some farmers cultivate rice on raised beds of soil and flood only the furrows in-between the beds, thus reducing water use as well as methane emissions, reportedly by up to 80%. The furrows can remain flooded all year round, which further eases irrigation management requirements (Zhijiang, 2023)Zhijiang, Xia (2023). Chinese rice farming trials cut methane emissions. China Dialogue. Available at: https://chinadialogue.net/en/food/chinas-rice-farming-trials-cut-methane-emissions-and-increase-yields/ [accessed July 2023]..

Smart agricultural transformation in Asia

The Asia-Pacific region is among the fastest-growing markets for agritech, with smart agriculture offering significant potential for agricultural transformation in developing nations (APO, 2023)APO (2023). Smart agricultural transformation in asian countries. Available at: https://www.apo-tokyo.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Smart-Agricultural-Transformation-in-Asian-Countries.pdf.. Smart farming, often referred to as precision agriculture (PA), is a farming approach that uses technologies such as GPS, sensors, data analytics and IoT devices to optimize crop production and improve resource efficiency by tailoring inputs like water, fertilizers and pesticides to specific field conditions. It integrates hardware (e.g. drones, irrigation controllers, satellite remote-sensing etc.), software (local or cloud-based) and services (e.g. farm management). PA is categorized into “soft” and “hard” types. “Soft” PA uses low-cost tools such as digital soil-testing kits, basic sensors and mobile app-based weather services to monitor crop and soil health for smallholder farmers, while “hard” PA involves advanced technologies that require big data skills, for example AI-powered drones, autonomous tractors etc.

However, not all countries in the region are equipped to implement such advanced agricultural innovations (APO, 2023)APO (2023). Smart agricultural transformation in Asian countries. Available at: https://www.apo-tokyo.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Smart-Agricultural-Transformation-in-Asian-Countries.pdf.. In developed countries like Japan, using robotics, AI and IoT in agriculture is now commonplace, while smallholder farmers in developing Asia mostly rely on soft PA, due to financial constraints, limited technical expertise, low internet connectivity and regulatory challenges (Terra Agri, 2024aTerra Agri (2024a). Challenges and Potential of Smart Farming in Asia. Available at: https://terra-droneagri.com/challenges-and-potential-of-smart-farming-in-asia/.; Chandran, 2023Chandran, Rina (2023). FEATURE-Asian farmers turn to drones, apps for labour, climate challenges. Available at: https://www.reuters.com/article/markets/commodities/feature-asian-farmers-turn-to-drones-apps-for-labour-climate-challenges-idUSL8N2V340U/). In India, for example, only 20 million farmers use any form of PA technology – a small fraction of the nearly 500 million in the country. Moreover, most energy and emissions savings from precision agriculture tend to accrue to larger farms, which are better positioned to adopt advanced technologies at scale. Bridging this gap requires collaboration among governments, private companies and educational institutions to provide resources and support. Initiatives like FAO’s Digital Village Initiative (DVI) are working across the Asia-Pacific region, including Bangladesh, China, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Thailand, Viet Nam, and many other countries, to integrate digital solutions into rural farming and agri-food systems (FAO, 2025)FAO (2025). Digital Villages Initiative in Asia and the Pacific. Available at: https://www.fao.org/digital-villages-initiative/asia-pacific/digital-villages-list/en.

Nevertheless, despite regulatory challenges and land fragmentation, the Asia-Pacific region is seeing the fastest growth in agricultural drones, driven by declining agricultural commodity prices and rising labor costs, particularly in China and Japan (APO, 2023)APO (2023). Smart agricultural transformation in Asian countries. Available at: https://www.apo-tokyo.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Smart-Agricultural-Transformation-in-Asian-Countries.pdf.. Drones are increasingly used for seed planting and precision spraying of pesticides and fertilizers, improving efficiency through real-time data collection for targeted interventions. By optimizing such inputs, drones help reduce indirect energy use – the energy required to produce and transport these inputs – while lowering GHG emissions. Agribusinesses in Indonesia and Malaysia, known for high-yielding crops, are adopting drones which can manage 50 to 100 hectares per day and reduce fertilizer and pesticide use by up to 30% (Terra Agri, 2024b)Terra Agri (2024b). How to Maximize Efficiency with Drone Fertilizer Application in Modern Farming. Available at: https://terra-droneagri.com/how-to-maximize-efficiency-with-drone-fertilizer-application-in-modern-farming/..

IoT-driven smart irrigation systems are transforming water and energy management in agriculture by integrating sensors, automation and remote monitoring

Japan is also promoting agricultural robots equipped with Global Positioning Systems (GPS) alongside satellite-enabled tractors, rice planters and harvesters (APO, 2023)APO (2023). Smart agricultural transformation in Asian countries. Available at: https://www.apo-tokyo.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Smart-Agricultural-Transformation-in-Asian-Countries.pdf.. These technologies map rice fields using GPS, allowing autonomous machines to plant seedlings along pre-calculated routes. This optimizes agricultural machinery operation, reducing energy consumption and resource waste (Yao et al., 2024)Yao, Zhixin, Chunjiang Zhao and Taihong Zhang (2024). Agricultural machinery automatic navigation technology. iScience, 27(2), 108714.. AI-powered self-driving tractors further collect environmental data during operation, sharing insights with other on-site machines to enhance efficiency.

IoT-driven smart irrigation systems are transforming water and energy management in agriculture by integrating sensors, automation and remote monitoring (Zeng et al., 2023)Zeng, Yuan-Fu, Ching-Tien Chen and Gwo-Fong Lin (2023). Practical application of an intelligent irrigation system to rice paddies in Taiwan. Agricultural Water Management, 280, 108216.. These systems help farmers monitor and control irrigation remotely through smartphones or on-farm management platforms, reducing energy consumption linked to pumping and distribution. A satellite-based irrigation advisory system (IAS) is being implemented in South Asia to help farmers manage water usage more efficiently by alerting them when they are overwatering their crops. In a demonstration project, SMS text message advisories have shown the potential to save up to 80 million cubic meters of groundwater per season for irrigation in India and 150 million cubic meters in Pakistan (Bose I et al., 2021)Bose I, Faisal Hossain, Hisham Eldardiry, Shahryar Ahmad, Nishan K. Biswas, Ahmad Zeeshan Bhatti, Hyongki Lee, Mazharul Aziz and Md. Shah Kamal Khan (2021). Integrating Gravimetry Data With Thermal Infra-Red Data From Satellites to Improve Efficiency of Operational Irrigation Advisory in South Asia. Water Resources Research, 57(4).. Meanwhile, young innovators in Cambodia, China and Indonesia are advancing smart irrigation solutions, improving efficiency and sustainability across diverse farming landscapes (IFAD, 2024)IFAD (2024). Meet the young people making irrigation in Asia smarter. Available at: https://www.ifad.org/en/w/rural-voices/meet-the-young-people-making-irrigation-in-asia-smarter..

Agrivoltaics enhancing dual harvest of food and energy in Asia

Agrivoltaics combines agricultural practices – such as crop cultivation and livestock farming – with photovoltaic (solar) technology, addressing the dual challenges of energy generation and food security. It entails growing crops beneath solar panels, maximizing land for both food production and solar energy generation. The Asia-Pacific region, with its diverse agriculture, high solar incidence and growing energy needs, is particularly well-suited for agrivoltaics. The region is experiencing the growing adoption of such technology, which is expected to grow from $654.8 million in 2023 to $6 billion by 2033 (The Agri-Food Data, 2025)The Agri-Food Data (2025). 2024 Research Asia-Pacific agrivoltaics market to reach $6.00 billion by 2033. Available at: https://theagrifooddata.com/2024-asia-pacific-agrivoltaics-reach-6-00/.

Agrivoltaics installation capacity has grown rapidly – from just 5 MW in 2012 to over 14 GW by 2021 – with Asian countries such as China, Japan and the Republic of Korea leading the growth (Fraunhofer ISE, 2024)Fraunhofer ISE (2024). Agrovoltaics. Opportunities for agriculture and the energy transition. Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems, Available at: https://www.ise.fraunhofer.de/en/publications/studies/agrivoltaics-opportunities-for-agriculture-and-the-energy-transition.html.. China holds the largest share, with 1,900 MW installed by the end of 2020 and over 500 agrivoltaics projects spanning crop cultivation, livestock grazing and aquaculture (Silan J et al., 2024)Silan J, Shengnian Xu and Marlon Joseph Apanada (2024). Dual Harvest: Agrivoltaics Boost Food and Energy Production in Asia. Available at: https://www.wri.org/insights/agrivoltaics-energy-food-production-asia.. Japan has deployed around 2,000 agrivoltaic systems producing 200 MW of electricity while supporting 120 crop varieties (Fraunhofer ISE, 2021)Fraunhofer ISE (2021). Agrivoltaics for arid and semi-arid climatic zones: Technology transfer and lessons learned from Japan and Germany. Available at: https://www.isep.or.jp/en/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Max_APV_presentation_English.pdf.. Countries such as China, India and Japan are advancing adoption through supportive policies and targeted incentives. In contrast, in developing countries like the Philippines, despite abundant solar resources and a large agricultural base, agrivoltaics remains largely untapped. Key barriers including regulatory ambiguity, fragmented land ownership, limited access to farmer financing and a lack of technical capacity for dual-use system design and maintenance have stalled progress. As a result, the technology remains in its infancy, even though it could address critical energy and agricultural challenges in the region (AENZ, 2024)AENZ (2024). Agrivoltaics in the Philippines—A Strategy for the Energy-Food-Climate Trilemma. Asia Engine for Net Zero Institute Inc. (AENZ). Available at: https://aenz.org/issue-brief-agrivoltaics-in-the-philippinesa-strategy-for-the-energy-food-climate-trilemma/.

The Asia-Pacific region, with its diverse agriculture, high solar incidence and growing energy needs, is particularly well-suited for agrivoltaics

Agrivoltaics can be applied across various agricultural settings, including grasslands, horticulture, arable farming, indoor farming and pollinator habitats. Each setting presents unique opportunities for solar integration. In horticulture, translucent panels maintain optimal light for plant growth while generating energy. In arable farming (cultivation of crops like grains and vegetables on plowable land), fixed and tracking solar systems can be integrated into crop rotation to maximize both energy and agricultural yield. Fixed systems are stationary, ideal for areas with consistent sunlight, while single axis tracking systems follow the sun to enhance energy production. Bi-facial panels, capturing sunlight from both sides, further enhance efficiency.

Innovations in solar panel technology, such as transparent and movable panels, allow for optimal light penetration for crops while still generating electricity. These systems not only supply energy but also shield plants and animals from extreme heat and drought. Additionally, they help reduce water evaporation by up to 30%, improving crop yields in regions with intense sunlight and high temperatures. Furthermore, solar panels installed over vegetation maintain significantly lower surface temperatures compared to those mounted on bare ground. This cooling effect also reduces efficiency losses induced by solar panels reaching high temperatures.

Agrivoltaic systems contribute to decentralized energy generation, reducing reliance on centralized grids and enhancing energy access in rural areas. Additionally, energy storage technologies allow solar-generated energy to be stored and used when needed, providing reliable power for agricultural operations. This is an important factor in climate change adaptation where more prevalent extreme weather events can lead to frequent disruptions in transmission networks.

Aquaculture-photovoltaic integration, or aquavoltaics, is a type of agrivoltaics, which is covered in the next chapter on fisheries and aquaculture.

Energy-efficient livestock farming

Meat consumption in Asia has traditionally been lower than in Europe, with diets centered on fish and plant-based proteins. However, urbanization and rising incomes have fueled a shift toward protein-rich diets like meat and dairy products, driving intense commercialization in the livestock sector in Asia. This is especially evident in China, the Republic of Korea and Viet Nam, where pork consumption is growing, while chicken and pork dominate in Japan, the Philippines and Thailand (Wen Bo, 2022)Wen Bo (2022). The State of Industrial Livestock Farming in Asia And Its Impacts on Deforestation and People’s Livelihoods. Available at: https://globalforestcoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/GFC-The-State-of-Industrial-Livestock-Farming-in-Asia.pdf.. In contrast, beef farming has long been a major industry in Australia. Over 63,000 farming businesses produce beef across 43% of Australia’s landmass, making it the world’s second-largest beef exporter (WWF, 2018)WWF (2018). Beef. Available at: https://wwf.org.au/what-we-do/food/beef/.

Livestock farming involves raising animals such as cattle, poultry, pigs and sheep in pastures or barns. It is a major contributor to GHG emissions, releasing about 7.1 gigatonnes of CO₂ equivalent annually (FAO, 2021)FAO (2021). Family Farming Knowledge Platform. Available at: https://www.fao.org/family-farming/detail/en/c/1679467/.. As livestock value chains expand in developing countries, energy demand rises due to increased processing, mechanization and transportation. High energy consumption in feed and fertilizer production is particularly concerning. In addition, in many regions, it faces challenges such as a harsh climate, water scarcity and increasing consumer demand for environmentally friendly, chemical-free meat, which calls for innovation in energy-saving practices and more sustainable production methods.

Solar solution systems, used in both on-grid and off-grid farms, help lower energy expenses while improving water access for livestock and irrigation

Improving energy efficiency can involve adopting high-efficiency machinery and equipment on the farm and natural ventilation in barns and sheds instead of energy-intensive cooling systems (FAO, 2021)FAO (2021). Family Farming Knowledge Platform. Available at: https://www.fao.org/family-farming/detail/en/c/1679467/.. Sensor-controlled ventilation systems optimize air circulation automatically, while variable speed drives (VSDs) can reduce energy loss by adjusting motor speed to match demand. In heat-stressed regions like China and India, high-volume low-speed (HVLS) fans are being used in large dairy farms to enhance air circulation while reducing electricity consumption. Details on such technologies can be found in the energy edition of the Green Technology Book.

Insulation in buildings can reduce fossil fuel energy consumption while protecting livestock. Insulated barns using agricultural textiles or aerogels are emerging in China, providing more protection from extreme weather. An aerogel is a nano-porous insulation material with extremely low thermal conductivity, which is one of the most important parameters for increasing the energy efficiency of buildings (Kotov et al., 2024)Kotov, Evgeny Vladimirovich, Darya Nemova, Vitaly Sergeev, Anna Dontsova, Tatyana Koriakovtseva and Darya Andreeva (2024). Thermal Performance Assessment of Aerogel Application in Additive Construction of Energy-Efficient Buildings. Sustainability, 16(6), 2398.. They can be used as insulation in barn walls and roofs, either as blankets, panels or sprayed-on insulation.

Farmers are increasingly adopting solar solutions for a variety of purposes beyond irrigation, such as powering electric fencing, controlling greenhouse climates and charging machinery. Portable solar units are especially beneficial for remote cattle stations, offering a reliable power source for water pumps and monitoring equipment without the need for costly grid connections. For instance, in Cambodia, large-scale pig farms that rely heavily on electricity for lighting and water pumping have introduced solar-powered solutions. These systems, used in both on-grid and off-grid farms, help lower energy expenses while improving water access for livestock and irrigation. Similarly, in Viet Nam, where poultry farming is expanding rapidly, high energy consumption for heating, incubation and ventilation presents a challenge. In response, smallholder farmers are adopting solar-powered incubators and other renewable energy systems to reduce grid dependance and support rural electrification (IRENA, 2022)IRENA (2022). Renewable energy for agriculture: Insights from Southeast Asia,. Abu Dhabi: International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Available at: https://www.irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2022/Jun/IRENA_Renewables_Agriculture_SEAsia_2022.pdf.. Moreover, as battery storage becomes more affordable, these farms are moving closer to energy self-sufficiency.

Efficient water management is another crucial factor in reducing energy waste. Automated watering systems for cattle, pigs and poultry help regulate water flow, preventing spillage and overflow while optimizing energy use for pumping.

Adapting to climate variability with energy-efficient greenhouses

As climate variability impacts crop yields, energy-efficient greenhouses are becoming more popular. These greenhouses integrate similar technologies as mentioned earlier to optimize energy usage in heating, cooling, ventilation, insulation and lighting. In India, thermal screens help regulate greenhouse temperatures, reducing cooling energy demand. In China and the Republic of Korea, double-layered polyethylene and bubble wrap linings are used to retain heat without obstructing light transmission. Additionally, digital greenhouse systems enhance farm management while maximizing energy savings.

Leveraging on-farm waste for energy and advancing circular economy

Agriculture serves a dual role as both an energy consumer and a supplier of bioenergy (FAO, 2000)FAO (2000). The Energy and Agriculture Nexus. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Available at: https://www.fao.org/4/x8054e/x8054e00.htm#:~:text=Agriculture%20has%20a%20dual%20role,substituting%20bioenergy%20for%20fossil%20fuels [accessed March 2025].. This provides significant opportunities for rural development and contributes to climate change mitigation by replacing fossil fuels with bioenergy. The region’s highly productive agriculture sector and large agro-industries produce significant volumes of underutilized residues (IRENA, 2022)IRENA (2022). Renewable energy for agriculture: Insights from Southeast Asia,. Abu Dhabi: International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Available at: https://www.irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2022/Jun/IRENA_Renewables_Agriculture_SEAsia_2022.pdf.. In countries with high agricultural activity, agricultural residues like rice husks, animal manure and crop waste are used to produce biogas or electricity through anaerobic digestion and biomass combustion. Additionally, these residues can be converted into biochar, a stable form of carbon produced by heating organic material in a low-oxygen environment (pyrolysis). Biochar helps sequester carbon in soil for long periods, improving soil health, fertility and water retention, while helping to mitigate climate change. These technologies help reduce the environmental impact of waste while providing a reliable source of renewable energy for farm operations, both in the form of electricity and as biofuel. Such technologies are already detailed in the previous sub-chapter on rural households and communities.

Countries with high agricultural activity, agricultural residues like rice husks, animal manure and crop waste are used to produce biogas or electricity through anaerobic digestion and biomass combustion

In several countries, smallholder farmers are also adopting small-scale biogas units, which not only provide energy but also yield organic fertilizers as a by-product, promoting a circular agricultural economy. Such an approach addresses the dual challenges of waste disposal and energy access, particularly in rural areas with limited access to the electricity grid.

Innovation examples

Indonesian farmers saving energy through solar-based irrigation

Due to more frequent droughts caused by climate change, Indonesian farmers are struggling to access water for their rice fields. Traditionally, they’ve relied on diesel-powered pumps during the dry season, but this method is costly – about 60% of their irrigation expenses go toward fuel alone. Now, farmers are starting to adopt solar-powered irrigation systems to save energy costs and provide a cleaner solution. In Krincing Village, a new off-grid system uses 64 solar panels of 100W each to power an electric pump that draws water from the Elo River into a reservoir. A 400-meter pipe distributes water to nearby rice fields. The system currently irrigates 15 hectares, with the potential to reach 70–80 hectares. Farmers benefit from zero fuel costs, low maintenance (just panel cleaning), and reduced CO₂ emissions. With a 10–15 year lifespan, the system offers a clean, cost-effective solution to climate-resilient farming (One earth, 2023)One earth (2023). Solar irrigation: how Indonesian farmers resist drought and save money. Available at: https://www.oneearth.org/solar-irrigation-how-indonesian-farmers-resist-drought-and-save-money/.

Robot helps Japan grow food and energy together

In Japan, a collaboration between Waseda University, Shibaura Institute of Technology, Sustainergy and Sony CSL led to the development of SynRobo, a robot designed for Synecoculture farming. Synecoculture™ is a method that grows many types of crops together for ecosystem restoration and to boost biodiversity. Since traditional machines can’t work in such complex, dense vegetation, this robot was built to handle sowing, pruning and harvesting – even under solar panels. It runs on a four-wheel system that can navigate rough terrain and uses cameras to help with tasks like weeding and harvesting. By combining food production with solar energy use, the robot supports efficient farming that saves energy and restores ecosystems (Otani et al., 2023). Demonstration tests are being conducted with farmers in Japan to bring agricultural robots into practical use.

Technology solutions

Proven technologies

Water pump: Krishi Meter

Gham Power

With Gham Power Krishi Meter, farmers get data-driven and real-time farm insights that help them optimize their farming methods and resources. The smart device leverages IoT technology to automate, monitor and control solar water pumps, improving water management. The sensors in the meter measure and analyze crucial agricultural parameters assisting farmers to make informed decisions regarding crop quality and yield. In addition, the system is designed to be user-friendly and accessible.

Contracting type: For sale
Technology maturity: Proven
Technology level: High
Place of origin: Nepal
Availability: Worldwide
Contact: WIPO GREEN Database

Precision agriculture: digital platform for resource optimization

SenzAgro Solutions

With solutions such as sensor-based monitoring, automatic irrigation and a digital platform for gaining agronomic advice in real-time, SenzAgro helps farmers optimize their resource use and efficiency. Their smart agriculture solution is claimed to decrease water and herbicide usage by 40%, while the automated operations can contribute to a 20% increase in yield and lowered operational costs and energy usage. The collected data on soil conductivity, ambient temperature and overall humidity can be viewed in the company’s Farm Management App and informs the automated irrigation scheme. In addition, tasks such as fertilization and pest control can be assigned remotely based on the received data.

Contracting type: For sale
Technology maturity: Proven
Technology level: High
Place of origin: Sri Lanka
Availability: Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates
Contact: WIPO GREEN Database

Waste to energy: on-farm electricity generation from biogas

EGreen Technology

Many large and medium-sized commercial farms in Viet Nam use on-site anaerobic digesters to produce biogas for cooking. A common challenge is the flaring or release of excess biogas, as production often surpasses local demand. EGreen addresses this issue by providing an energy-as-a-service solution, converting diesel generators to operate on biogas for electricity generation. These generators are available for purchase or rental, with EGreen committing to lifetime maintenance in both cases. By adopting this solution, farmers can reduce their electricity costs by over 50%. By 2024, the company had deployed 80 biogas generators with a total capacity of 12 MW to farms across Viet Nam.

Contracting type: For sale
Technology maturity: Proven
Technology level: Medium
Place of origin: Viet Nam
Availability: Viet Nam
Contact: WIPO GREEN Database

Water pump: pump controller for areas with unstable energy supply

Intech Harness

The Jalaprayah pump controller is an IoT-enabled controller for electric irrigation pumps. It supplies water with respect to water availability and fluctuations in power supply, reacting to water scarcity or power outages by automatically shutting off and later completing the irrigation cycle. These features deter pumps from working under dry conditions, contributing to on-farm energy efficiency.

Contracting type: For sale
Technology maturity: Proven
Technology level: Medium
Place of origin: India
Availability: India
Contact: WIPO GREEN Database

Water pump: solar water pump with digital platform

SOGE

SOGE provides solar-powered water pumping solutions for both individual farmers and farming communities. Their solar panels use trackers to follow the sun throughout the day, maximizing efficiency. The pump system, designed for individual farmers, includes an inverter and pump motor and can be connected to the grid if needed. For farming communities, the irrigation station offers a pay-per-use pump system. Both solutions can be enhanced with the SOGE app, which enables remote control, irrigation scheduling, data tracking, monitoring and more.

Contracting type: For sale
Technology maturity: Proven
Technology level: Medium
Place of origin: Cambodia
Availability: Cambodia
Contact: WIPO GREEN Database

Livestock: high-volume low-speed (HVLS) ceiling fan for livestock farm

Fujian Diamond Electrical and Mechanical Equipment Co., Ltd.

This industrial ceiling fan features a high-efficiency IE5 permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM), enabling energy savings of over 30% compared to conventional systems. With diameters ranging from 3 to 7.3 meters and wind speeds of 1–5 m/s, it covers up to 1,700 m², offering effective ventilation and cooling for large spaces on livestock farms including cattle farms, feedlots, hatcheries, etc. The fan enhances air circulation by pushing a steady breeze downward to create a consistent airflow layer, improving indoor comfort and reducing reliance on energy-intensive cooling systems. Its intelligent control system further maximizes operational efficiency.

Contracting type: For sale
Technology maturity: Proven
Technology level: High
Place of origin: China
Availability: Worldwide
Contact: WIPO GREEN Database

Renewable energy: energy as a service for cattle beef farms

REDEI

Renewable Energy as a Service (REaaS), offered by REDEI provides beef cattle farms with reliable, cost-effective energy without upfront investment. The service delivers solar power systems integrated with energy storage and grid connectivity, which are tailored to the specific energy needs of each farm. REDEI designs, installs and maintains the infrastructure, ensuring efficient energy delivery through flexible, scalable solutions. This approach reduces reliance on the grid, mitigates the impact of rising electricity costs and enhances energy resilience. The REaaS model offers fixed-price green energy, lowering operational costs and supporting long-term sustainability while capping energy expenses with a single monthly bill.

Contracting type: For sale
Technology maturity: Proven
Technology level: High
Place of origin: Australia
Availability: Australia
Contact: WIPO GREEN Database

Livestock: solar poultry incubator

Lifeway Solar

Designed for rural areas with unreliable or no access to grid electricity, this semi-automatic solar poultry incubator supports hatching of up to 100 quail, 40 chicken or 25 goose eggs. It features a fiberglass, double-skinned cabinet with polyurethane foam insulation for thermal efficiency and stable internal temperatures – critical for high hatch rates. A 12-V/40-W solar photovoltaic panel, connected to a battery via a charge controller, ensures continuous 24-hour operation. The unit operates on solar, battery or grid power and consumes just 20–60 watts. Key features include automatic heat control via a proportional thermostat, fan-assisted ventilation and a manual humidity system. The design enables reliable, low-energy egg incubation for remote farming communities.

Contracting type: For sale
Technology maturity: Proven
Technology level: Medium
Place of origin: India
Availability: India, Nepal
Contact: WIPO GREEN Database

Energy storage: battery solution for agricultural farms

Energy Renaissance

Energy Renaissance battery storage solutions, integrated with solar technology, enable farms to generate and store renewable energy, reducing dependence on grid power and diesel generators. The solution offers a reliable, eco-friendly alternative that lowers operating costs and minimizes the farm’s carbon footprint. It ensures a stable energy supply, reducing disruptions and keeping farm operations running smoothly. The solution is completed with an energy management system controlling the charge–discharge cycles of batteries, providing streamlined monitoring and management of the energy-generating and energy-storing systems.

Contracting type: For sale
Technology maturity: Proven
Technology level: High
Place of origin: Australia
Availability: Australia
Contact: WIPO GREEN Database

Waste to energy: small-scale and mobile bioreactors

Takachar

Crop residues are often burned in the absence of other handling methods, increasing the risk of wildfires and contributing to health-damaging issues of smog. In response, Takachar developed the Takavator, a mobile, small-scale and low-cost multi-chamber biomass reactor. The solution is meant to facilitate biomass upgrading in rural and off-grid communities and can latch onto the back of tractors and pick-up trucks. It can upgrade a wide variety of loose, wet and bulky crop residues directly on-site, generating dense and more manageable products such as solid biofuels and biochar-based soil amendments. For power, the reactor consumes about 10% of input biomass. The biofuel it generates is a solid, clean-burning type, which generates less smoke than traditional alternatives such as wood, peat and animal dung.

Contracting type: For sale
Technology maturity: Proven
Technology level: Medium
Place of origin: United States of America
Availability: India, Kenya, United States of America
Contact: WIPO GREEN Database

Frontier technologies

Agrivoltaics: bi-facial solar modules with smart controls

Trinasolar

Trinasolar provides agrivoltaic solutions suitable for both crop and livestock farming. The solution includes bi-facial solar modules mounted at least two meters above the ground and trackers that use algorithms or real-time meteorological data to maximize energy generation while considering both agricultural activities and the sun’s position. For example, after excessive rain, the modules can be positioned vertically to help the field dry more quickly.

Contracting type: For sale
Technology maturity: Frontier
Technology level: Medium
Place of origin: China
Availability: Worldwide
Contact: WIPO GREEN Database

Irrigation: sensor-based system

Sense it Out Intelligent Solutions

The Sensor-based Intelligent Crop Centric Automation (SICCA) is a smart irrigation system for automatic or remote control of irrigation with respect to factors such as soil moisture, temperature and humidity. The solar-powered and battery-equipped sensor nodes record microclimatic and soil data and transmit it to the main pump controller. Here, irrigation either triggers automatically or via the My SICCA smartphone app, with the help of valve nodes on the field. The valve nodes, similar to the sensor nodes, are solar-powered and equipped with a rechargeable battery. The system components communicate wirelessly and require no changes to the existing pipeline structures to function, and valve nodes can be placed up to 2 km away from the main pump controller. Suitable for farms of 1 to 50 acres, SICCA can reduce irrigation water use by up to 80%, significantly cutting pump energy consumption.

Contracting type: For sale
Technology maturity: Frontier
Technology level: Medium
Place of origin: India
Availability: India
Contact: WIPO GREEN Database

Precision agriculture: spraying drone

TerraDrone

The E16 spraying drone is designed for high-efficiency, precise spraying of fertilizers or pesticides in plantations. It significantly reduces water and chemical waste while spraying up to 40 times faster than traditional methods, offering cost savings. Built to withstand harsh conditions, it features real-time kinematic navigation for centimeter-level accuracy and a contour-following sensor, allowing it to adapt to terrain and optimize spraying coverage efficiently.

Contracting type: For sale
Technology maturity: Frontier
Technology level: High
Place of origin: Indonesia
Availability: Indonesia, Malaysia
Contact: WIPO GREEN Database

Farm input: biocompatible photosynthesis enhancer

Qarbotech

QarboGrow is a photosynthesis-enhancing foliar spray that uses tiny carbon particles known as carbon quantum dots. The spray works by penetrating leaves where it enhances light absorption and electron transfer in the organelles responsible for converting sunlight into energy. Therefore it increases photosynthetic efficiency by up to 100%, reducing fertilizer dependence, promoting healthy soils, and reducing water usage by up to 20% which saves energy. The solution also enables energy savings for indoor farms using artificial lighting. Past applications have resulted in a 40% increase in rice yields and a 20% reduction in crop cycle duration, and improved drought resilience.

Contracting type: For sale
Technology maturity: Frontier
Technology level: Medium
Place of origin: Malaysia
Availability: Indonesia, Malaysia
Contact: WIPO GREEN Database

Precision agriculture: self-driving robot tractor for sustainable agriculture

Yanmar

Yanmar’s Robot Tractor has a tablet user interface which is fitted with a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) unit and inertial measurement unit (IMU), enabling precise autonomous navigation along pre-set paths for accurate and safe operation on farmland. It features obstacle detection, an intuitive tablet interface and centralized data management via Smart Assist. A portable base station allows use in remote areas without existing infrastructure. The system supports dual operation, where one operator can manage both an autonomous and manual tractor, improving efficiency.

Contracting type: For sale
Technology maturity: Frontier
Technology level: High
Place of origin: Japan
Availability: Japan
Contact: WIPO GREEN Database

Livestock: smart poultry farming

Chickin

SmartFarm solution uses IoT technology to enhance efficiency in poultry farming. Its CI-Touch hardware automatically monitors and adjusts cage temperature and humidity via sensors, optimizing fan speed. According to Chickin, this can reduce electricity consumption by up to 35% and lower feed costs by improving nutrient absorption. Real-time climate data is displayed on a dashboard, eliminating manual reporting. The company also claims mortality rates can decrease by up to 50% due to better environmental control. The system digitizes performance tracking, allowing farmers to analyze trends and adjust operations.

Contracting type: For sale
Technology maturity: Frontier
Technology level: High
Place of origin: Indonesia
Availability: Indonesia
Contact: WIPO GREEN Database

Greenhouse: spectral monitoring for energy-efficient greenhouse lighting

nanoLambda

The XL-500 is a compact spectroradiometer designed for continuous, real-time light spectrum monitoring in greenhouse environments. It measures spectral power distribution, photosynthetically active radiation, photon flux density and illuminance, along with color characteristics such as color temperature, color rendering and chromaticity. In horticultural settings, this helps optimize the light spectrum delivered to plants, reducing unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining or improving crop yield and quality. Using Bluetooth Low Energy, users can set custom measurement intervals, with the device operating for several weeks on a single charge.

Contracting type: For sale
Technology maturity: Frontier
Technology level: High
Place of origin: Republic of Korea
Availability: Worldwide
Contact: WIPO GREEN Database

Horizon technologies

Solar energy: mobile URJA – scalable solar power beyond silicon technology

KARMA

Mobile URJA, developed by KARMA, a startup from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), in collaboration with MIT and Flissom, is an innovative energy solution addressing the challenges of rain-fed agriculture and diesel pump reliance. This mobile energy platform uses solar panels and power units that can be easily relocated and shared by multiple users, offering affordable energy access to marginal farmers, particularly for irrigation. Powered by Flissom’s copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) solar panels, the system can operate within five minutes of relocation and power pumps of up to 3 horsepower. It provides a scalable and flexible alternative to traditional, fixed solar systems.

Contracting type: N/A
Technology maturity: Horizon
Technology level: High
Place of origin: India
Availability: India
Contact: WIPO GREEN Database

Greenhouse: energy-saving low-carbon technology in greenhouse horticulture

National Agriculture and Food Research Organization

This technology reduces energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in agricultural greenhouses which traditionally rely on heavy fuel oil for heating. By extracting heat from nearby flowing water such as irrigation canals, the sheet-type heat exchanger can reach a heat exchange efficiency 15 times better than underground water and 2.5 times more than stagnant water. The solution also cuts construction costs since no boreholes are needed during the installation of the heat exchanger in irrigation canals, and protective materials can reduce damage from debris in the water.

Contracting type: N/A
Technology maturity: Horizon
Technology level: High
Place of origin: Japan
Availability: Japan
Contact: WIPO GREEN Database

Wastewater treatment: energy-efficient wastewater treatment for pig farms

Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST)

OIST researchers have developed a bio electrochemical system for energy-efficient wastewater treatment and nutrient recovery at pig farms. These farms are characterized by large volumes of organic waste. Conventional wastewater treatment with activated sludge requires aeration which can be an energy-intensive and costly operation. This two-tank configuration builds on the principle of having microbes breathe through electrodes, moving electrons from the organic content in raw wastewater and transferring them to nitrified substances in the other tank containing wastewater after aeration. The process allows denitrification without requirement for organic compounds. By cutting aeration needs and minimizing sludge production, it lowers energy consumption and operational costs by 20% to 50%. A 525-liter prototype is now set for joint development after successful pilot trials.

Contracting type: For collaboration
Technology maturity: Horizon
Technology level: High
Place of origin: Japan
Availability: Japan
Contact: WIPO GREEN Database

Precision agriculture: versatile platform robots for the future in agriculture

Kubota

These fully autonomous platform robots are designed to perform a wide range of tasks in agriculture and other fields without human intervention. Equipped with various implements, they enable data-driven precision farming, automate manual tasks and even support civil engineering work. The robots are highly adaptable, with adjustable height and width to accommodate different crop spacing and growth conditions, ensuring they are suited for specific tasks. Their ability to automatically swap implements allows a single unit to handle multiple operations. For example, in rice farming, these robots can perform tasks traditionally carried out by separate machines, such as tilling, intermediate management, pest control and harvesting, resulting in significant energy savings and greater operational efficiency.

Contracting type: N/A
Technology maturity: Horizon
Technology level: High
Place of origin: Japan
Availability: Japan
Contact: WIPO GREEN Database