This document discusses agroecology and energy efficiency. It presents different levels and models of agroecological conversion that can increase energy recycling and reduce external energy inputs. Case studies show that diversified, integrated agroecological systems have higher energy outputs, labor efficiency, and energy returns compared to specialized conventional systems. Analysis at the farm, cooperative, and municipal levels demonstrate that agroecology can improve food and energy security for local populations in an energy efficient manner.

1. Agroecology and energy
Fernando R. Funes-Monzote, PhD.
Agroecologist
Researcher, profesor and farmer
Vice-president of Latin American Scientific Society for Agroecology (SOCLA)
Apartado 4029, C.P. 10400, Ciudad de La Habana, Cuba,
e-mail: mgahonam@enet.cu
https://www.facebook.com/fincamartam
FAO, Rome, 18 Sept, 2014

2. Altieri, 2011

3. AGROECOLOGY
Low external inputs,
high recycling rates and
crop/livestock/energy
integrated systems
High
High external inputs,
industrial agriculture in
ENERGY
EFFICIENCY
monocultures
Low
Low external inputs,
diversified with low
levels of system’s
integration.
Medium-Low
Specialized systems with
low external inputs
Medium
AGROECOSYSTEM DIVERSITY
PRODUCTIVITY
High
Low
Low
High
Altieri et al., 2011 Agron. Sustain. Dev. (2012) 32:1–13

4. Agroecological conversion and energy
Level 3: Agroecological farming
system’s designs.
Level 2: Substitution of chemical
per biological inputs.
Level 1: Increase efficiency of
conventional practices
Energy sovereignty at all levels
of the food system where
New set of ecological processes
with high integration and
energy recycling.
Achieve better use of
renewable energy sources.
Adapted from Gliessman, 2010
Level 4: Agroecological
articulation.
Reduce energy inputs use and
improve technology efficiency.

5. Assessment of conversion towards agroecological systems
Monoculture – specialized
livestock production
Integrated agroecological
livestock production
(inclusion of various components of agrobiodiversity)
PRINCIPLES
Bio-diversification and increase in complexity
Dynamic recycling of energy and nutrients
through crop-livestock integration
Achievement of food and feed self-sufficiency
Funes-Monzote et al., 2009

6. Mixed crop/livestock design
75% livestock: 25% crops
Funes-Monzote et al., 2009 Environ Dev Sustain 11:765–783

7. 16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
1 2 3 4 5 6
Year
GJ output/GJ input
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
1 2 3 4 5 6
Year
GJ/ha/yr
Energy use eficiency Energy inputs
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
1 2 3 4 5 6
Year
hours/ha/d
Labor demand
- - - C25 —— C50
Funes-Monzote et al., 2009 Environ Dev Sustain 11:765–783

8. A (9,4 ha) B (47 ha) C (33.7 ha)
Reforestation index
100
75
50
25
0
Species richness
Diversity of products
Total energy inputs
Human labour intensity
Organic fertiliser's use
Energy ef f iciency
Milk yield Soil organic matter
Energy cost of protein
Protein output
Energy output
Milk yield per livestock area
Farm A Farm B Farm C
Total value of production
100
75
50
25
0
Value of crop production
Value of livestock
production
Benef it cost ratio
Gross margin
Total costs of production Net production value
Farm A Farm B Farm C
Funes-Monzote et al., 2012 IJAS 10:3, 208-229

9. Study under commercial conditions, and for a large number of farms (N=93) identifies
correlations among energy efficiency and farm productivity
(Principal Component and Discriminant multivariate analysis).
Axis 1 (88%)
2
Axis 2 (8%)
2
Specialised farms Mixed farms
● ■ ●
Axis 2 (8%)
ECP Crop proportion
● 
-2
-2
Commercial and
experimental
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Diversity
Energy Efficiency
PO
TEI MY
Farm size
Axis 1 (88%)
Years since conversion
2
-2 2
-2
Productivity
DP
SR
Funes-Monzote et al., 2009. JSA, 33:435–460, 2009

10. Silvopastoral systems and the use of trees in protein banks are higly
efficient systems in recicling energy with high levels of productivity.
Policrops enhance the Land Equivalent
Ratios and increase the energy
efficiency of cropping systems.
Integrated production of Jatropha curcas and food
crops in polycrops (Food and energy integrated
production systems).

11. Human labour Animal labour Tractors and machinery
Guatemala grass (Tripsacum laxum) Moringa (Moringa oleifera)
High yielding energy and protein forages allow to compensate for
the deficit of biomass in the grazing areas during the dry season
Participatory selected plant
materials have demonstrated are
more adapted to droughts and
need less energy inputs

12. Artisanal reproduction of efficient native microorganisms
Windmill for water
pomping.
Plant for biomass gasification. Pomping water using photovoltaic
solar panels.

13. Biogas for cooking, heating systems and
generating power to pump water, mill
grains, chop forages, etc.
BIOGAS
Asures energy recicling, reduction of
CO2 emissions, produce high quality
organic fertilizer and improves access to
energy for cooking and other purposes.

14. Natural control for aphyds Trichogramma parasites
Cassava spring
The use of sexual foromones
Wasp controls larvae that
atacs soybean
Use of repelent plants
Alternatives to the use of pesticides, highly dependent on energy.

15. Integrated model for livestock production in the tropics
Sol
Caña de
azúcar
Arboles
forrajeros
Cosechas
Jugo
Aves y cerdos
Excretas
Biodigestor
FAMILIA
Lombrices
Humus
Estanque para
peces y plantas
acuáticas
Ovejas
Tallo
bagazo
Cogollo
Proteína
Proteína
Proteína
Combustible
Preston y Murgueitio, 1992

16. Energía solar
Agua
Nutrientes
HUMANOS ANIMALES
Productos agrícolas,
pecuarios , forestales e
industriales
Suelo Suelo
Trabajo humano
1 70 MJ/ha/año
Trabajo animal
160 MJ/ha/año
Fertilizantes
1 080 MJ/ha/año
Piensos
2 535 MJ/ha/año
Sistema de producción de energía y
abonos: Biogás, lombricultura, compost
Combustibles
1 350 MJ/ha/año Servicios ambientales
Conocimiento
Salida total de energía
Especies de árboles
forestales, frutales
y postes vivos
Pastos
Forrajes de corte
CULTIVOS
Artesanía Agroturismo
Procesamiento de alimentos 33 000 MJ/ha/año
Semillas
200 MJ/ha/año
Entrada total de energía
5 495 MJ/ha/año
Plantas ornamentales y condimentos
Diversidad genética
Eficiencia energética: 6 MJ producidos por cada MJ invertidos

17. Microorganismos
Eficientes
Cultivos Familia
Biodigestor 25 m3
Animales
Cocción
Excretas
Alimento humano y animal
Reciclaje de nutrientes y energía
CH4
Lombricultura
Lixiviados
Microorganismos
Nativos
Bosque
Humus de lombriz
1000
lt/semana
INTEGRATED PRODUCTION OF FOOD AND ENERGY
BIOMAS-1 (La Angelina, Perico, Matanzas)
Funes-Monzote et al., 2011

18. Cayo Piedra farm, Matanzas, Cuba Del Medio farm, Sancti Spíritus, Cuba
Agrobiodiversity
Coconut Corn
Banana Tomatoes
Sweet potatoes Potatoes
Taro Pepper
Cabbage Papaya
Beans Onion
Carrot Pigs
Area (ha) 40
Energy (GJ/ha/yr) 90
Protein (kg/ha/yr) 318
People fed/ha/yr (energy) 21
People fed/ha/yr (protein) 12,5
Energy efficiency (output/input) 11,2
Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) 1,67
Agrobiodiversity
> 200 plant, animal and tree
species
Area (ha) 10
Energy (GJ/ha/yr) 50,6
Protein (kg/ha/yr) 434
People fed/ha/yr (energy) 11
People fed/ha/yr (protein) 17
Energy efficiency (output/input) 30
Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) 1.37

19. Abbona et al., 2006

20. Agroecolgical Integrated Biointensive Food and Energy System
Total area (8 ha) – Second year conversion «Finca Marta»
Livestock Crops
30 Bee hives
10 Cows
2 Oxen
30 Seep
5 pigs
100 chicken
3.0 t honey
10 t milk
1.5 t meat
Draught power
1.5 t lamb
1,2 t pork meat
40 kg meat
1500 eggs
Grazing area
(Dichanthium, guinea
grass, brachiaria
leucaena, moringa,
albizia, legume sps.)
4 ha
Forage:Pennisetum,
sugar cane , morus,
titonia, eritrina, moringa
Horticultural area
(+ 30 sps.)
0.5 ha
0.25 ha
Fruit Grove
Mango, avocado,
mamey, coconut, (+ 15
sps).
1 ha
1 ha Riparian zone
0.5 ha Forest reserve
Family and workers
food security
Food processing
Environmental services
(biodiversity, water and soil protection)
Energy and nutrient recycling
(worm culture, composting materials, biogas,
windmill for water pumping and electricity
generation)
Cash crop land
(maize, cassava, sunflower,
tomato, sweet potato etc.)
1 ha
2.5 km Living fences
Human and animal labor
Direct and indirect energy inputs
used in food production
Market relationships
Social relationships
Agro-diversity of some 200 plant and animal species
Preliminary model

21. COMPUTARIZED SYSTEM ENERGIA 3.01
Energy efficiency
calculations
Methodology
Report

22. Energy efficiency analysis at Cooperative level (1025 ha)
Summary
Area (ha) 1025
Energy output (Gj/ha/yr) 2.9
Protein output (Gj/ha/yr) 32.7
People feed energy /ha/yr 0.7
People feed protein/ha/yr 3.1
Energy balance
0.25
output/input

23. Farm
Cayo Piedra
Perico
Cooperative
Juan Oramas
Bacuranao
Municipality Martí
(22343
inhabitants)
Total area (ha) 40 1025 55577
Labour intensity (hr/ha/day) 0,95
(medium)
0,34
(low)
0,35
(low)
Energy (GJ/ha/yr) 90
(high)
2,9
(low)
5,7
(low)
Protein (kg/ha/yr) 318
(high)
32,7
(low)
89,3
(low)
People feed/ha/yr (energy) 21
(high)
0,7
(low)
1,0
(low)
People feed/ha/yr (protein) 12,5
(high)
3,1
(low)
3,1
(low)
Total no. People feed Energy 840
Protein 500
718
3176
55577
172288
Energy efficiency (output/input) 11,2
(high)
0,25
(low)
0,76
(low)
Energy cost of protein (MJ/kg) 27,3
Medium
190,7
High
70,8
High
Energy efficiency (analysis at three scales)

24. Socioecological metabolism
(Study of energy and material flows)
Galán et al., 2014 (forthcoming)

25. Historical comparisson for Energy Return on Investments (EROI) 1860-1999

26. Altieri, 2011

27. Agroecology and energy
Thank you
very much!
Fernando R. Funes-Monzote, PhD.
Agroecologist
Researcher, profesor and farmer
Vice-president of Latin American Scientific Society for Agroecology (SOCLA)
Apartado 4029, C.P. 10400, Ciudad de La Habana, Cuba,
e-mail: mgahonam@enet.cu
https://www.facebook.com/fincamartam
FAO, Rome, 18 Sept, 2014