Energy-Efficient Innovations in Agricultural and Food Systems: A Systematic Review of Productivity and Sustainability Outcomes and Adoption Trends

Abstract

Agriculture and food systems are among the world’s greatest energy consumers and emitters of greenhouse gases (GHGs), highlighting the importance of energy-efficient strategies that maintain a balance between productivity and sustainability. This study used the PRISMA-ScR methodology and the Biblioshiny platform to conduct a systematic review and evaluation of renewable energy integration and digital advances in agriculture and food systems. Fifty-one peer-reviewed research articles published between 2009 and 2025 were examined to determine technology trends, performance outcomes, and adoption challenges. The findings identified two significant innovation pathways: renewable energy technology such as solar-powered irrigation, biogas generation, and agrivoltaic systems, and digital solutions such as precision agriculture, Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled monitoring, and automation. Results indicate yield improvements of 10–25%, irrigation water savings of up to 40%, and yearly GHG emissions reductions of 0.3 to 0.6 tonnes of CO2 per hectare. However, adoption remains uneven across regions, restricted by infrastructural constraints, capital costs, and inadequate policy support especially in underdeveloped countries. Overall, combining renewable energy and digital technology improves productivity, resource-use efficiency, and environmental performance while promoting various SDGs. Furthermore, integrating these two types of technologies leads to digital economic transformation in agriculture and food systems. These findings show the innovative potential of energy-efficient solutions in enabling sustainable intensification and climate resilience in agriculture.