Energy auditing and data envelopment analysis (DEA) based optimization for increased energy use efficiency in wheat cultivation (Triticum aestium L.) in north-western India

Abstract

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivation in north-western India is highly intensive in terms of resources used and associated energy input. We therefore, studied the resource use efficiency (RUE) for reduced energy footprints in wheat production using non-parametric measures viz. Cobb-Douglas Production Function (CDPF) and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) approaches. The return to scale (∑i=1nαi)value of 0.363 for CDPF revealed that 1% increase in all resources used, the wheat grain yield increased by ~ 0.363%. The adjusted coefficient of determination (R2Adj) of 0.29 therefore, suggested that CDPF does not explain a great deal of relationship between the dependent and independent variables. DEA considering the CCR (Charnes-Cooper-Rhodes) and BCC (Banker-Charnes-Cooper) models illustrates that ~ 38 (based on CCR) and ~ 55% (based on BCC) decision making units (DMUs), respectively were efficient and had technical efficiency (TE) score = 1.00. These results revealed that 10.1, 10.9, 20.5, 17.2, 50.0, 24.4 and 34.8% seed, diesel fuel, human labor, chemical fertilizers, biocides, irrigation water and electricity, respectively could be saved without compromising wheat productivity. The average TE score of 0.92 ± 0.01 therefore, suggests possibilities of ~ 8% saving in total resource use in wheat cultivation. DEA based benchmarking helped in reducing energy input in wheat by 1953.4 ± 46.9 MJ ha−1 (~ 7.2%).