Modelling energy use pattern for maize (Zea mays L.) production in Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract The current mechanized system of crop production requires a considerable amount of energy. Finding the important factors that lead to improved crop yields is a necessary step towards reducing huge energy inputs and, subsequently, reducing environmental concerns and increasing agricultural sustainability. This research work explores the impact of energy resources and forms of energy on maize production in Nigeria was modeled using the Cobb-Douglas production function and validated by the Durbin-Watson procedure. The effect of input energy on maize yields was determined using partial regression coefficients and the Marginal Physical Product process. Data on agricultural inputs such as human labour, machinery, seed, fuel and agro-chemicals were obtained in 50 established farms, through interviews and using questionnaires. Data were transformed to energy suitable form using appropriate standard energy equations. Research results showed that maize production consumed 9803.78 ​MJ/ha of energy, 45.36% of which was fertilizer followed by fuel (35.90%), machinery (10.72%), herbicide (3.88%) seed (3.61%) and human labour (0.53%) respectively. The contributions of direct and indirect energy were 36.44% and 63.56%, while renewable and non-renewable energy were 4.42% and 95.58%, respectively. The energy ratio, specific energy and productivity value were 2.46, 0.2851 ​MJ/kg and 3.51 ​MJ/kg, respectively. The econometrics of the energy resources and out revealed that fertilizer, machinery and human labour energy resources with elasticity 12.98, 9.70 and 8.08, respectively, were the most significant energy resources that had a significant impact on output. The impact of fertilizer, seed fuel, and machinery was significant (p ​