DefinePK

Abstract

Sugarcane is an important cash crop for Pakistan’s economy, which is a sustainable source of rural livelihoods and raw material for various sectors, but its cultivation is at risk due to its high irrigation demand and the environmental impact created by irrigation practices. The extraction of groundwater through tubewell turbines consumes a higher amount of diesel fuel, which ultimately becomes a source of CO₂ emissions, thus threatening the sustainability standards. This study compares two sugarcane farming systems that are sources of carbon footprint: one is Bonsucro (following sustainability standards), and the other is a non-Bonsucro farmer (following conventional standards). Data was collected by questionnaires and field surveys. The number of emissions was calculated based on irrigation sources, including canal water, solar systems, and diesel turbine systems. The findings indicated that Bonsucro-certified farmers not only relied on green energy but also adopted mulching practices and irrigation scheduling, which resulted in a significant reduction in the number of irrigations and emissions compared to other conventional farmers. When only tubewell turbines were used, Bonsucro irrigation practices caused a decrease of 15% carbon emissions. However, the integration of a solar-powered system further improved it by up to 18%. This comparative analysis presents the significance of sustainable irrigation sources in sugarcane farming, which lowered the carbon footprint and supported climate-resilient agriculture.