Economical analysis and energy use efficiency in alfalfa production systems in Iran

Abstract

Energy use efficiency is one of the key indicators for developing more sustainable agricultural practices. For this purpose energy use in the production of alfalfa was studied in Kermanshah province, western Iran in summer 2010 by analysis of energy flow in this crop. Data was collected using questionnaires and face to face interviews with 63 farmers. Total inputs and outputs of alfalfa systems were calculated and converted to their energy equivalent. Results showed that total energy input and output in alfalfa agroecosystems were 49689.59 and 240072.7 MJ/ha, respectively. The highest share of input energy was recorded for diesel fuels (43.1%), electricity (24.36%) and N fertilizer (12.2%). The results also showed that energy use efficiency, specific energy, energy productivity and net energy were 4.83, 3.68, 0.27 and 190383.11 MJ/ha respectively. Total mean energy input as renewable and nonrenewable forms were calculated to be 10.24 and 89.76% respectively. Economic analysis showed the total cost of production and net return for one hectare of alfalfa production were around 889.32 and2140.96 $ respectively. Accordingly, the benefit/cost ratio and productivity (dividing alfalfa yield by total production cost) were estimated 2.41 and 15.19 Kg/$. It was concluded that energy management at farm level could be improved to give more efficient and economic use of energy. Key words: Energy use efficiency, alfalfa, economical analysis, sustainable agriculture.