View source for Renewable Energy Benefits: Decentralized Solutions in the Agri-food Chain

= Introduction<br/> =

Agriculture and related agri-food activities are at the heart of the rural economy. However, rural communities struggling with expensive or inadequate power supplies are often limited to producing low-quality goods with little diversity. Extending affordable, secure and environmentally sustainable energy to underserved rural areas can drive community development, strengthen livelihoods and improve the quality of life.

Off-grid renewables can support productive activity at all stages of the agri-food chain, from irrigation to support food production, through post-harvest processes, including agro-processing and food preservation for storage and transport. Modern renewable technologies also allow sustainable food preparation and cooking.

This report, IRENA’s first interactive digital publication, analyses the socio-economic impacts of deploying off-grid solutions in the agri-food sector. It finds that renewable energy can generate considerable time and economic savings as well as significantly improve output in activities including production, agro-processing and cooking. Off-grid renewable energy solutions are well-positioned to deliver energy in an affordable, secure and environmentally-sustainable way along all steps of the agri-food chain.

= Further Information =

*[[Portal:Water and Energy for Food|Water and Energy for Food (WE4F) portal on energypedia]]


= Reference<br/> =

[https://www.irena.org/publications/2016/Sep/Renewable-Energy-Benefits-Decentralised-solutions-in-agri-food-chain Renewable Energy Benefits: Decentralized Solutions in the Agri-food Chain]<br/>

[[Category:Agriculture]]
[[Category:Community_Power]]
[[Category:Off-grid]]