Energy use pattern and sensitivity analysis of rice production: A case study of Guilane province of Iran

Abstract

Rice is one of the most important crop supplying the world’s population’s food. Because of the direct links between energy and crop yields, and food supplies, rice energy analysis is essential. The objective of this study was to evaluate the energy balance between inputs and outputs of rice production in Guilane Province of Iran. Data were collected from 105 rice farmers with face to face questionnaire. A total energy input and output of 39.3 and 60.3 G J ha-1 was observed. Fertiliser and fuel were the highest energy inputs with amount of 14.1 and 11.6 G J ha,sup>-1, followed by electricity and seed with 5.2 and 3.1 G J hasup>-1yield. The marginal physical productivity (MPP) value of fuel and machinery was 0.93 and 0.23, respectively. The total cost of production, gross and net returns were 3156, 1629 and 927 US$ ha-1, respectively. The benefit-cost ratio was calculated to be 1.29.

Key Words: Energy ratio, fuel, renewable energy