Energy efficiency in agriculture aims to reduce production costs by using energy more efficiently in areas such as irrigation, agricultural equipment, greenhouses and animal shelters. Although the share of the agricultural sector in total energy consumption is limited, especially irrigation pumps, tractor fuel, greenhouse air conditioning and animal production processes constitute significant cost items for farmers.

In addition, animal wastes, the use of nitrogen fertilizers, diesel consumption in tractors, the use of electricity/heat in greenhouses and animal shelters also affect the greenhouse gas emissions of the agricultural sector.

In this context, studies on energy efficiency in agriculture have been initiated in many countries and investments have been made in efficient applications and technologies.

Energy use in the agricultural sector can be evaluated under two headings as‘ direct ’and‘ indirect ’energy use in both plant and animal production:

includes tractor fuel-diesel and oil used in crop production from tillage to crop harvesting and processing, and electrical energy used in irrigation and greenhouses. In animal production; electricity used for applications such as lighting, heating, ventilation, cooling in agricultural structures such as animal shelters, in activities such as feed preparation-distribution, fertilizer cleaning, milking, etc.,biomass, coal, natural gas are also included in the energy inputs used directly.

Indirect energy use includes energy inputs consumed for the production of tools, machinery, devices, fertilizers, seeds and pesticides used in agricultural production. These energy inputs are generally located in the industrial sector.

Sensors used in livestock and drone technologies used in agriculture can contribute to more efficient management of fuel and energy use when applied correctly. Digital monitoring, automation and internet of things applications in agriculture can support the reduction of energy consumption per unit product by reducing unnecessary irrigation, fertilization, spraying and equipment use.

In terms of more traditional practices, there is already considerable potential for evaluation. Some of these can be listed as follows:

• Use of geothermal energy in soil improvement, drying of agricultural products, heating of soil in open agricultural areas, fish farming and mushroom production,
• Making use of solar energy in applications such as greenhouse air conditioning, product drying and soil disinfection,
• Evaluating all kinds of suitable agricultural waste for gas (biogas) and electricity generation and thus recovering a significant part of the energy spent for the product,
• Using the natural chambers formed in soft rock structures as cold storage and minimizing the electricity consumption needed for cooling,
• Automation management of heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting systems in large-capacity barns, barns and animal shelters; evaluation of passive solar systems, heat pump applications and rooftop solar panel options.