Research on World Agricultural Economy

Special Issue: Integrating Renewable Energy and Smart Technologies for Sustainable Agriculture: Opportunities and Challenges

Submission Deadline: January 31, 2026

Chief-Collection Editor:

Muhammad Usman  
School of Economics and Management, and Center for Industrial Economics, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
Research Interests: Agricultural Technologies, Energy Policy, Green Growth, Agricultural economics, Environmental Economics, Sustainable Development, Development and Welfare Economics, Applied Economics, and Circular Economy.

Special Issue Information:

Dear Colleagues,

The global agricultural landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by the urgent need to produce more food while preserving the environment. As the impacts of climate change intensify and natural resources become increasingly scarce, the pressure on farmers to find sustainable solutions has never been greater. In this context, the integration of renewable energy and smart technologies is emerging as a powerful strategy to reshape the future of agriculture. Imagine a farm where solar panels power irrigation systems, wind turbines drive grain mills, and biogas digesters fuel greenhouses (GHG), this is not a distant vision but a growing reality. In this way, renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and biogas are enabling farmers to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels, cut operational costs, and significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions. These clean energy systems are not only environmentally friendly but also offer greater energy security and reliability, especially in remote and off-grid areas. At the same time, smart technologies are revolutionizing the way farming is done. With the help of IoT sensors, farmers can monitor soil moisture levels, temperature, and crop health in real time. Moreover. drones provide aerial views of farmland to detect issues early, while AI-driven analytics offer insights for precision farming ensuring that water, fertilizers, and pesticides are used only where needed. These innovations are boosting crop yields, conserving resources, and enabling more informed decision-making. Yet, the journey toward sustainable agriculture is not without its hurdles. The high upfront cost of renewable energy systems and smart technologies can be a significant barrier, particularly for smallholder farmers. Access to financing, technical knowledge, and modern infrastructure remains limited in many rural regions. Overcoming these challenges will require strong policy support, investment in capacity-building, and collaboration across sectors from government and industry to academia and local communities. Despite the obstacles, the integration of renewable energy and smart technologies holds immense potential. It offers a pathway to a more productive, resilient, and sustainable agricultural sector—one that can feed the growing global population while protecting the planet for future generations.

We invite contributions that investigate how these technologies can enhance energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, optimize resource use, and improve crop yields. Particular interest is given to case studies, empirical analyses, and modeling approaches that examine both the opportunities and limitations of adopting these technologies in diverse agricultural contexts—especially in developing regions.

Key themes include renewable energy integration in irrigation and post-harvest processing, the role of smart farming tools in climate adaptation, policy and financing mechanisms to support green innovation, and the socio-economic impacts on smallholder farmers. This collection also seeks to highlight barriers such as infrastructure gaps, digital divides, and institutional constraints that may hinder large-scale implementation.

We encourage interdisciplinary research that bridges energy, environmental science, agricultural engineering, and rural development, aiming to provide actionable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders in the agricultural value chain.

Guest Editor
Muhammad Usman

Keywords:

• Sustainable Agriculture
• Smart Farming
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Agriculture
• Climate-Smart Agriculture
• Solar-Powered Irrigation
• Agricultural Technology (AgriTech)
• Environmental Sustainability
• Low-Carbon Agriculture
• Sustainable Food Systems
• Agricultural Modernization