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

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 CO2 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 CO2 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-Ⅴ (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 CO2 emissions (1548 kg-CO2/ha) referred to C-Ⅴ while lowest emissions per ton of grain yield were determined in C-Ⅳ (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-Ⅲ (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 CO2 emissions from wheat production. Therefore, the agricultural practices performed in C-Ⅲ are recommended for efficient cultivation of wheat in the studied area.

Simulating Cotton Growth and Productivity Using AquaCrop Model under Deficit Irrigation in a Semi-Arid Climate

“…Water productivity (WP) is a key element of agricultural water management in agricultural irrigated regions, and AquaCrop is a suitable tool to assess the water response to crop water productivity [6]. The maximum WP for wheat cultivar was found to be 1.54 kg/m 3 that was acquired from 60% deficit irrigation [7,8]. Water being a precious commodity, could be saved by adapting water-saving techniques, which is only possible with proper assessment of water response to crop production [9].…”

“…AquaCrop model of the United Nations is simple, user friendly, and is practical for ultimate users such as extension workers, water managers, and professionals of irrigation organizations for planning purposes [19]. To evaluate how agricultural productivity will be affected by future shifts in water availability due to climate change, water production functions can be linked with crop models [8]. All other crop models are complicated, demanding advanced skills of calibration and operation as well as need a large number of parameters [20].…”

Spatiotemporal Investigation of Atmospheric Water Harvesting Potential Using Response Surface Methodology for Multan (Pakistan) and Fukuoka (Japan)

“…Precipitable water is actually the depth of water that is collected in a column of atmosphere in millimeters. The collection of water can be done through the adsorption of water from atmosphere using desiccants [14,[14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21]. The RSM is selected in this paper to analyze and optimize the water harvesting potential of Multan (Pakistan) and Fukuoka (Japan) by considering the dry bulb temperature (DBT), relative humidity (RH) and atmospheric pressure (ATM) as continuous factors and precipitable water (Pw) as a response factor.…”

Study on Zero Energy Evaporative Cooling Chamber for Agricultural Products Storage

“…A large amount of the products, we are wasting every year because spoilage takes place immediately just after harvesting [7]. Moreover, various studies provided by the authors regarding low-cost evaporative cooling systems for various applications and food security challenges are available in literature [8][9][10][11][12]. Refrigeration is one of the preservation methods to provide cooling to agricultural products.…”