Energy-use patterns under various farming systems in Punjab

Abstract

The state of Punjab (India) is divided into six agro-climatic zones, viz, sub-mountainous undulating zone, undulating zone, undulating plain zone, central plain zone, western zone and flood plain zone. Because of the associated vast changes in agro-climatic conditions, the distribution of energy consumption for crop production has not been uniform. For this study, the state was divided into four farming systems depending upon the level of energy use in crop production, irrigation facilities available and the status of farm machinery use. The four systems were: (1) traditional (rain-fed); (2) improved traditional (partially irrigated); (3) semi-intensive (irrigated) and (4) intensive (irrigated using improved farm implements). Multi-stage stratified techniques were applied in conducting the farmers' survey to study the energy-use pattern under various farming systems for the cultivation of wheat. The grain yield was a minimum (612 kg/ha) for farming system (1) and was a maximum (4677 kg/ha) for farming system (4). The specific energy requirement decreased from 8·84 MJ/kg (for farming system (1)) to 4·14 MJ/kg (for farming system (4)). The energy output-input ratio also increased from 2·8 to 5·9. It was also observed that farming system (3) consumed almost as much energy as system (4), yet the grain yield was low. This may be because of the high fertilizer dose, which was about 20% more than the recommended dose. It may, therefore, be concluded that the increased energy consumption in the form of agro-inputs increases the energy efficiency and grain yield, but that management and proper use of various energy sources and machinery also plays an equally important role.