Energy and Life Cycle Assessment of Potato Production under Groundwater and Surface Water Irrigation Systems in Egypt: A Pathway to Sustainable Agriculture

Abstract Potato production plays a pivotal role in global food security, ranking as the third most essential crop worldwide. Nonetheless, there is limited research on the energy and environmental impacts of potato production using different irrigation systems and water sources. This study evaluates potato production's energy use and environmental impacts under two distinct irrigation approaches: center pivot irrigation based on groundwater wells (Sc-I) and drip irrigation using surface water (Sc-II) in Egypt. Data were collected from 90 potato farms using a face-to-face questionnaire method during the 2022–2023 growing season. Potato production's environmental life cycle impacts were assessed using a “cradle-to-farm-gate”. The results showed that Sc-I consumed a total energy input of 129,702 MJ ha⁻ 1 , yielding 154,244 MJ ha⁻ 1 , whereas Sc-II required 81,565 MJ ha⁻ 1 with a significantly higher output of 171,360 MJ ha⁻ 1 . Energy use in Sc-I was primarily driven by diesel fuel for irrigation (52.8%) and chemical fertilizers (22.0%). In contrast, Sc-II achieved a 68.7% reduction in diesel fuel consumption due to the efficiency of surface water sources. The global warming potential (GWP) of potato production for Sc-I and Sc-II were 9058.9 and 4428.5 kg CO 2 eq ha −1 , demonstrating a 49% reduction in GWP under Sc-II. These findings highlight the environmental and energy efficiency advantages of drip irrigation systems using surface water over center pivot irrigation dependent on groundwater wells. Sc-II demonstrated the potential to reduce resource consumption and emissions while enhancing productivity. The study underscores the importance of integrating smart irrigation systems and renewable energy technologies is essential for conserving water resources and reducing emissions in agriculture. Transitioning to renewable energy-powered systems represents a critical pathway toward sustainable agricultural practices, offering long-term benefits for resource conservation, emission reduction, and farmer resilience.