Study of Energy Use Efficiency of Pomegranate Production in Iran

Energy is a fundamental ingredient in the process of economic development, as it provides essential services that maintain economic activity and the quality of human life. Modern agriculture has become very energy-intensive. The purpose of this study was to determine the amount of renewable and non-renewable inputs energy used in pomegranate production in Mazandaran province, Iran. Also, in this study, the amounts of energy indexes was determined. Data used in this study were obtained from ۷۵ farmers using a face-to-face interview method. The total energy requirement under pomegranate farming was ۱۷,۱۱۲.۲ MJ ha-۱, whereas ۳۶.۳ and ۳۳.۶۲% was consumed due to chemical fertilizers and chemical poisons respectively. Renewable energy was about ۱۲% of total energy input. The energy ratio, productivities, specific and net energy gain were ۱.۷۱, ۰.۹۰۵ kg MJ-۱, ۱.۱۰۴ MJ kg-۱ and ۱۲,۲۵۱.۴ MJ ha-۱, respectively. Results indicated that pomegranate production is mostly dependent on non-renewable energy sources. So, pomegranate production needs to improve the efficiency of energy consumption and to employ renewable energy.

کلیدواژه ها:

Energy use efficiency ، Energy productivity ، Pomegranate ، Agrochemical