Use of Modern Technologies in Energy Optimization in Food and Agriculture: A Case Study of Iran

Abstract

The agricultural sector in Iran, a critical pillar of the national economy and food security, faces intensifying challenges driven by water scarcity, energy inefficiencies, and climate change volatility. This paper investigates the potential of modern technologies—specifically the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and renewable energy systems—to optimize energy consumption within Iran’s food and agriculture industries. Drawing on a comprehensive review of 20 recent academic and industrial sources (2012–2025), the study triangulates global theoretical frameworks with specific Iranian case studies, including data from Gilan, Qazvin, and Marand.

The analysis reveals that while traditional farming methods in Iran remain heavily reliant on subsidized fossil fuels and inefficient irrigation networks [6, 8], the integration of smart energy management systems (EMS) and precision agriculture offers significant pathways for reform. Case studies indicate that smart greenhouse technologies and agrivoltaic systems can reduce energy waste by up to 30–50% while simultaneously addressing the water crisis [1, 4]. However, the transition is obstructed by distinct barriers, including international economic sanctions, grid instability, and a lack of digital literacy among smallholder farmers [16, 17]. This paper concludes that achieving a "knowledge-based" agricultural economy in Iran requires a dual approach: the removal of infrastructural and legal barriers to technology transfer, and the implementation of targeted policy reforms to incentivize renewable energy adoption [11, 14].