Calculation of carbon emissions in organic and conventional dried fig production

Organic farming aims to develop or maintain the ecological values and biodiversity. Therefore, it shows more advanced sensitivity about environmental issues compared to conventional agricultural practices. Nowadays, agricultural activies also have significant share in increasing enviromental problems. Turkey is among countries where agriculture plays an important role and consequently discussions on enviromental problems increasingly discussed in respect to their impact on agriculture. Agricultural sector releases a total of 28 metric tons of CO2 equivalent greenhouse gases according to 2011 data.. The enviromental problems because of direct or indirect carbondioxide emisions that originate as a result of fertilization, tillage, spraying application during a life cycle of a crop is examined more in detail in organic farming system which bases on sustainability. Dried fig, which is important export product of Turkey, was examined during the production period in two agricultural systems, conventional and organic, and environmental carbonfoot prints of sun-dried figs were calculated and expressed as carbondioxide equivalent values. Data used in calculation of carbon footprint were obtained directly from the fig farmers and processors or from secondary literature. The calculations were made based upon area (hectar) or production (MT) either per unit area or for the total production. Results proved that the carbon emissions were higher at the processing stage compare to production at the farm level and emissions under organic management system is lower than the conventional management.