Towards Sustainable Agriculture: Strategies for Energy Efficiency and Environmental Conservation in Banana Cultivation and Processing

Abstract

Promotion of renewable and alternative energy usage on a local level can effectively lead to increased national renewable energy potential, along with distributing energy security towards communities. This scheme aligns with national development goals on various levels. Thailand aimed to increase the proportion of renewable and alternative energy usage to final energy consumption to 30% by 2037. This research was conducted through collecting data of energy usage in banana cultivation and banana processing. A questionnaire/interview was used for a selected group of banana farmers. The data of banana processing was gathered with another questionnaire/interview for banana drying and frying processes. It was found that energy consumption for banana cultivation amounted average to 54,000 baht per year, or an equivalent of 1.92 toe per year. Energy consumption for banana process was equal average to 421,228.20 baht per year, or an equivalent of 8.40 toe per year. In light of the findings, the renewable energy measure of implementing 3,200-watt solar-powered mobile water pump system for banana cultivation was considered suitable. Which can be used to replace diesel oil for watering 100%. On the other hand, for banana processing, the use of 6.0x8.2 m² parabola dome solar dryer was appropriate. This allowed the group to increase the proportion of renewable energy use equivalent to 86,109.30 kWh per year and reduce energy costs by approximately 361,659.06 baht per year. The aforementioned implementations of renewable energy measures serve as prototypes which can be further perpetuated, fulfilling the policies of the government.