Energy use pattern and sensitivity analysis of energy inputs and economical models for peanut production in Iran

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to determine energy consumption and the relationship between energy input and output in peanut production. Also, the sensitivity of energy inputs and cost inputs were estimated using the marginal physical productivity (MPP) method and partial regression coefficients on peanut yield. Data used in this study were obtained from 120 randomly selected peanut farms using a face to face survey. The average energy consumption and yield were calculated as 19248.04 MJ ha-1 and 3488.39 kg ha-1, respectively. The results revealed that chemical fertilizer and diesel fuel were the main energy consuming inputs. The energy used efficiency ratio, energy productivity and net energy were found as 4.53, 0.18 and 67937.21 MJ ha-1, respectively. Econometric assessment results revealed that the energy inputs of human labor, machinery and seed had significant influence on the yield. The results of sensitivity analysis of the energy inputs showed that the MPP value of seed was the highest, followed by machinery energy inputs. Also, the MPP value of indirect and renewable energy was more than direct and non-renewable energy, respectively. Cost analysis revealed that total cost of production for one hectare of peanut production was 7775.26 $. Benefit-cost ratio was calculated as 1.67. The elasticity for chemical fertilizers and seeds expenses are 4.41 and -3.8, implying that a given 1% change in chemical fertilizers and seeds expenses will result in 4.41% increase and 3.8% decrease in income, respectively.