Investigating the amount of greenhouse gas emissions of farmers in North Rudpi region of Sari using the LCA approach

Subject Areas : Agricultural Economics Research

somayeh shirzadi laskookalayeh ^{1 *} , Tahere usefi farahabadi ² , Fatemeh Kashiri Kolaei ³ , Khadijeh Abdi Rokni ⁴

1 - Asistant Prof., Department of Agricultural Economic, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University. Mazandaran. Iran
2 - MSc Student of Agricultural Economics, Department of Agricultural Economic, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University. Mazandaran. Iran.
3 - Asistant Professor., Department of Agricultural Economic, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University. Mazandaran
4 - PhD of Agricultural Economics, Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University. Mazandaran. Iran

Received: 2025-03-06 Accepted : 2025-06-29

Keywords: Burning plant residues, Greenhouse gas emissions, Life cycle assessment approach,

Abstract :

 The present study has attempted to investigate emissions from the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, paddy land, burning of plant residues, and fossil fuel consumption for crop production.

 The present study has obtained emissions from crop production in the North Rodpei region of Sari County using the LCA method. Life cycle assessment is a valid and accurate method for examining the environmental impacts of crop production or an activity, and generalizing its results to a national scale provides useful information about the environmental impacts of agricultural activities. The data of the present study were collected through face-to-face interviews with 250 farmers in the 1401-1402 crop year in the North Rodpei region of Sari County. The results of the study showed that the highest greenhouse gas emissions were attributed to the paddy crop with an average of 2589 kg of Co2 equivalent per hectare. Also, burning crop residues and using chemical fertilizers in all crops had a significant contribution to the production of greenhouse gas emissions.

 According to the results obtained, the greatest damage is caused by the paddy crop. Accordingly, given the high greenhouse gas emissions of this crop, in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it is recommended that the government encourage and support farmers to replace the cultivation of crops with less pollution and also manage the consumption of chemical inputs and plant residues to reduce emissions.

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