Energy use pattern and sensitivity analysis of rice production: A case study of Guilane province of Iran

Abstract

Rice is one of the most important crop supplying the world's population's food. Because of the direct links between energy and crop yields, and food supplies, rice energy analysis is essential. The objective of this study was to evaluate the energy balance between inputs and outputs of rice production in Guilane Province of Iran. Data were collected from 105 rice farmers with face to face questionnaire. A total energy input and output of 39.3 and 60.3 G J ha-1 was observed. Fertiliser and fuel were the highest energy inputs with amount of 14.1 and 11.6 G J ha-1, followed by electricity and seed with 5.2 and 3.1 G J ha-1, respectively. Energy use efficiency, energy productivity, specific energy and net energy were 1.57, 0.09, 11.20 and 21 G J ha-1, respectively. The share of non-renewable energy was almost 89%, while the direct and indirect energy usage based on inputs was approximately equal (49 and 51%, respectively). The econometric model showed that fuel and machinery had a significant effect on rice yield. The marginal physical productivity (MPP) value of fuel and machinery was 0.93 and 0.23, respectively. The total cost of production, gross and net returns were 3156, 1629 and 927 US ha-1, respectively. The benefit-cost ratio was calculated to be 1.29.Le riz est parmi d'importantes cultures qui fournissent de la nourriture aux populations du monde. A cause des liens directs entre l'\ue9nergie et les rendements de cultures, l'analyse de l'\ue9nergie pour le riz est primordial. L'objectif de cette \ue9tude \ue9tait d'\ue9valuer la balance \ue9nerg\ue9tique entre apports et sorties de la production du riz dans la Province de Guilane en Iran. De donn\ue9es \ue9taient recuillies de 105 riziculteurs \ue0 l'aide d'un questionnaire face \ue0 face. Un total d'apport et sortie d'\ue9nergie de 39.3 et 60.3 G J ha-1 \ue9tait respectivement observ\ue9. Les fertilisants et le carburant constituaient un apport plus \ue9lev\ue9 d'\ue9nergie de l'ordre de 14.1 et 11.6 G J ha-1 suivis de l'\ue9lecticit\ue9 et semence avec 5.2 et 3.1 G J ha-1, respectivement. L'utilisation efficiente de l'\ue9nergie, la productivit\ue9 de l'\ue9nergie, l'\ue9nergie sp\ue9cifique et l' \ue9nergie nette \ue9taient de 1.57, 0.09, 11.20 et 21 G J ha-1, respectivement. La part de l'\ue9nergie non renouvelable \ue9tait d'environ 89%, pendant que l'usage direct et indirect de l'\ue9nergie bas\ue9 sur les apports \ue9tait approximativement \ue9gal (49 et 51%, respectivement). Le mod\ue8le \ue9conom\ue9trique avait montr\ue9 que le carburant et les machines avaient 0.93 et 0.23, respectivement. Le co\ufbt total de production, le gros et le revenu net \ue9taient de 3156, 1629 et 927 US ha-1, respectivement. Le rapport co\ufbt-b\ue9n\ue9fice calcul\ue9 \ue9tait de 1.29