Investigation of Input and Output Energy for Wheat Production: A Comprehensive Study for Tehsil Mailsi (Pakistan)

Muhammad N. Ashraf, Muhammad H. Mahmood, Muhammad Sultan, Narges Banaeian, Muhammad Usman, Sobhy M. Ibrahim, Muhammad U. B. U. Butt, Muhammad Waseem, Imran Ali, Aamir Shakoor and Zahid M. Khan
Additional contact information
Muhammad N. Ashraf: Department of Agricultural Engineering, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan
Muhammad H. Mahmood: Department of Agricultural Engineering, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan
Muhammad Sultan: Department of Agricultural Engineering, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan
Narges Banaeian: Department of Biosystems Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht 4199613776, Iran
Muhammad Usman: Institute for Water Resources and Water Supply, Hamburg University of Technology, Am Schwarzenberg-Campus 3, 20173 Hamburg, Germany
Sobhy M. Ibrahim: Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
Muhammad U. B. U. Butt: Department of Agricultural Engineering, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan
Muhammad Waseem: Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of Rostock, 18059 Rostock, Germany
Imran Ali: Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
Aamir Shakoor: Department of Agricultural Engineering, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan
Zahid M. Khan: Department of Agricultural Engineering, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 17, 1-22

Abstract: The global increasing food demand can be met by efficient energy utilization in mechanized agricultural productions. In this study, input–output energy flow along with CO 2 emissions for different wheat production cases (C-I to C-V) were investigated to identify the one that is most energy-efficient and environment-friendly case. Data and information about input and output sources were collected from farmers through questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. Input and output sources were converted into energy units by energy equivalents while CO 2 emissions were calculated by emission equivalents. Data envelopment analysis (DEA) was conducted to compare technical efficiencies of the developed cases for optimization of inputs in inefficient cases. Results revealed that case C-? (higher inputs, larger fields, the tendency of higher fertilizer application and tillage operations) has the highest energy inputs and outputs than the rest of the cases. Moreover, it possesses the lowest energy use efficiency and energy productivity. The highest CO 2 emissions (1548 kg-CO 2 /ha) referred to C-? while lowest emissions per ton of grain yield were determined in C-? (higher electricity water pumping, moderate energy input). The grain yield increases directly with input energy in most of the cases, but it does not guarantee the highest values for energy indices. C-? (moderate irrigations, educated farmers, various fertilizer applications) was found as an optimum case because of higher energy indices like energy use efficiency of 4.4 and energy productivity of 153.94 kg/GJ. Optimum input and better management practices may enhance energy proficiency and limit the traditionally uncontrolled CO 2 emissions from wheat production. Therefore, the agricultural practices performed in C-? are recommended for efficient cultivation of wheat in the studied area.

Keywords: input–output energy; wheat production; CO 2 emissions; Pakistan (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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