Market Information requirements.
Biomass Energy
Biomass energy is produced from plants and organic wastes— everything from crops, trees, and crop residues to manure. Crops grown for energy could be produced in large quantities, just as food crops are. While corn is currently the most widely used energy crop, native prairie grasses such as switchgrass or fast-growing trees such as poplar and willow are likely to become the most popular in the future. �ese perennial crops require less maintenance and fewer inputs than do annual row crops such as corn, so they are cheaper and more sustainable to produce. Crops and biomass wastes can be converted to energy on the farm or sold to energy companies that produce fuel for cars and tractors and heat and power for homes and businesses.
Solar Energy
�e amount of energy from the sun that reaches Earth each day is enormous. All the energy stored in Earth ' s reserves of coal, oil, and natural gas is equal to the energy from only 20 days of sunshine.
Solar energy can be used in agriculture in a number of ways, saving money, increasing self-reliance, and reducing pollution. Solar energy can cut a farm ' s electricity and heating bills. Solar heat collectors can be used to dry crops and warm homes, livestock buildings, and greenhouses. Solar water heaters can provide hot water for dairy operations, pen cleaning, and homes. Photovoltaics( solar electric panels) can power farm operations and remote water pumps, lights, and electric fences. Buildings and barns can be renovated to capture natural daylight, instead of using electric lights. Solar power is o�en less expensive than extending power lines.
Expanding the Potential of Renewable Energy
Renewable energy technologies are being used in a variety of applications on farms and ranches and there are many opportunities to expand their use in the future. For example, renewable, farm-based biomass and other renewable energy sources may be able to fuel hydrogen production; agricultural vehicles running on hydrogen could have the same efficiency and environmental bene ts planned for light-duty cars and trucks; and hydrogen fuel cell technology could provide power for remote locations and communities.
Biomass plant
www. farmersreviewafrica. com January- February 2017
FARMERS
[ 21 ] REVIEW AFRICA