Sustainable Agriculture through Reduced Emission and Energy Efficiency: Estimation of Input–Output Energy and GHG Emission under Tunnel Cultivation of Tomato

Abstract

Tomato production under tunnel structures has shown promising returns in recent years in Pakistan. However, the energy use and GHGs dynamics remain largely unknown for tomato production under controlled conditions. This study estimates the energy budgeting and GHG emission in off-season (tunnel-farming) tomato production. Study data were gathered from 70 tunnel tomato growers through a simple random sampling technique. Energy use efficiency, energy productivity, and net energy along with covariates of energy output were estimated through Cob–Douglas regression. The results indicate that the total input energy consumption and production were 91,376.38 MJ ha−1 and 56,764.64 MJ ha−1, on average, respectively. The contribution of fertilizers (60.78%) was higher in total input energy followed by diesel and chemicals. The value of energy use efficiency was 0.652, which was higher for small farms (0.678) and lower (0.604) for large farms. Energy productivity (0.815 kg MJ−1), specific energy (1.355 MJ Kg−1), and net energy (−34,611.743 MJ ha−1) were also estimated. The total greenhouse gas emission was 3426.66 kg CO2 eq. ha−1, which is low for large farms (3197.57 kg CO2 eq. ha−1). The contribution of farmyard manure to total GHG emissions was high. The results show the inefficient use of inputs, responsible for GHG emissions. Fertilizers were a major contributor both in total input energy and GHG emission. The efficient utilization of agricultural inputs is a solution to reduce GHGs emissions in crop production. Therefore, the agriculture department should play its role to ensure the optimal or efficient use of agricultural inputs. The Department of Extension is working to guide farmers about crop production at each stage. Thus, regular visits from extension staff are recommended to guide vegetable producers about efficient input use.