Farmers are continually searching for ways to reduce their overhead, and to maximise profit margins. However, it is equally important to remember that these very same enterprises now have to address the ongoing effects of climate change. Not only will a sustainable approach help to reduce their carbon footprints, but a growing number of governments have begun to implement regulations governing the release of greenhouse gases.
The only possible issue here involves what types of solutions are available, and which of these will provide the highest return on investment (ROI) over time. Let's analyse a few different methods, and the advantages that each can offer.
Dealing with On-Site Solid Waste
Livestock are present on many farms, and owners are often looking for ways to deal with organic gases emitted from manure. One interesting method involves the use of a biogas digester. This large tank helps to break down solid waste into gaseous components such as methane and carbon dioxide. These gases can then be used to produce heat, to generate electricity, or to resell after properly stored.
Solar Power
The photovoltaic (PV) industry has advanced in leaps and bounds over the past few years. Farmers are now relying on this technology as a source of power; helping to reduce their consumption of mains electricity. Not only does such an approach place less of a demand upon local electrical grids, but the self-sufficient nature of solar power is ideal for farms that happen to be found in more remote locations.
Small Changes Can Lead to Massive Rewards
Farms tend to consume a fair amount of energy, and while the solar power trend highlighted in the previous section can certainly provide impressive results, there are other ways in which facilities can limit their energy usage. Perhaps the simplest (and the most cost-effective) approach involves the use of LED lighting. These units require far less electricity when compared to traditional incandescent fixtures, and they will last for a longer period of time before needing to be replaced (some estimates claim up to 25 times longer). Not only will these qualities address common maintenance concerns, but the farm can further reduce its carbon footprint.
From the use of a geomembrane to store biogas and cutting-edge PV technology to more practical approaches, we can see that there are a number of ways in which the agricultural industry can limit its environmental impact. Not only does this help to guarantee a greener future, but it simply makes good business sense.
