Comparison of GHG Emissions of Efficient and Inefficient Potato Producers Based on Data Envelopment Analysis

Abstract

Data for this study were obtained from province of Esfahan in Iran. 260 potato producers were randomly selected for data collection. Energy efficiency of potato growers was studied and degrees of technical efficiency (TE), pure technical efficiency (PTE) and scale efficiency (SE) were determined using data envelopment analysis (DEA). Additionally, wasteful uses of energy by inefficient farms were assessed and energy saving of different sources was computed. Furthermore, the effect of energy optimization on greenhouse gas (GHG) emission was investigated and the total amount of GHG emission of efficient farms was compared with inefficient ones. It was revealed that 21% of producers were technically efficient and the average of TE was calculated as 0.83. Based on the BCC model 105 growers were identified efficient (40%) and the mean PTE of these farmers was found to be 0.98. Also, it was concluded that 13% (11506.63 MJ ha -1 ) of overall input energies can be saved if the performance of inefficient farms rose to a high level. Finally it was concluded that, by energy optimization the total GHG emission can be reduced to the value of 2075.21 kg CO2eq.