Material Insights · Understanding the Material World

Energy in farming: Overview

How diesel, power and gas help sunlight grow our food

What this tile covers Irrigation pumps, fertiliser and draught power: how energy grows food. Share of use 2.5% share of final energy use (2022)

Share of world total final energy consumption (about 435 EJ, calculated: motor systems 13,462 TWh are 53% of electricity, so about 25,400 TWh or 91 EJ, and electricity is about 21% of final energy) that passes through this device or is used by this sector, latest year available. Electricity-based devices use electricity's 21% share of final energy (IEA WEO 2025). Overlaps between devices and sectors are allowed and noted. Agriculture used 2.5% of world final energy in 2022 (on-farm fuel and electricity only; fertiliser manufacture sits in industry). Source: Renewables 2025 Global Status Report: Agriculture, REN21.

Key facts

ChainChemical (natural gas) → ammonia → higher photosynthetic output

Included from the reference tables

  • Crop farming
  • Livestock
  • Diesel, electric and solar irrigation pumps
  • Fertiliser use

Linked to the material world

Ur UreaNH3 AmmoniaWh WheatRi Rice

Also in Industry, buildings and farms

HI Energy-intensive industryBld Energy in buildingsDC Data centres

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