Application of data envelopment analysis approach for optimization of energy use and reduction of greenhouse gas emission in peanut production of Iran

Abstract

The continuous growth in energy demand, the inevitable decline in the availability of fossil fuels, and the rising concern about increasing emissions are all precursors to climate change. The aims of this study comprise the assessment of energy flow and greenhouse gas emission of peanut production in Guilan province, Iran, and then the application of data envelopment analysis to determine optimum energy use pattern for saving energy and reduction of greenhouse gas emission. 120 peanut farms in Guilan province, Iran, an important hub for peanut production, are examined. Data envelopment analysis results show that 22 (18.33%) and 90 (75%) peanut producers are effective units based on constant and variable returns to scale, respectively. The technical, pure technical and scale efficiencies are 0.79, 0.98 and 0.81, respectively. The amount of energy consumption saving by converting inefficient farms into efficient farms is estimated to be 1760 Mega-Joule per hectare. Chemical fertilizer (contributing 48%) has the maximum share to total energy saving in peanut production. Therefore, correct and standard consumption of chemical fertilizer can be a viable solution for energy saving consumption. The total greenhouse gas emissions from peanut farming are computed to be 571.18 and 512.39 kg of carbon dioxide equivalent per hectare for present and optimum farms, respectively. Moreover, the total greenhouse gas emission can be reduced by 58.79 kg of carbon dioxide equivalent per hectare by optimizing energy inputs in peanut farming. This reduction in greenhouse gas emission can be realized by management of diesel fuel, nitrogen and machinery consumption according to optimized input rates introduced by the data envelopment analysis.