Application of nonparametric method for optimization of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emission in wheat production

Background and Objective: Nowadays, increase of energy consumption in agricultural section has lead to some environmental problems and increase of final costs. In this study, the non-parametric method of Data Envelopment Analysis is used to estimate the energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emission in the irrigated wheat farms in Silakhor plain of Lorestan province. Method: Data were collected through both questionnaire and interview surveys using 150 farmers. Results showed that the energy consumption for 0.1 up to 2, 2.1 up to 5 and over 5 hectares were 22134, 24128 and 25078 MJ/ha respectively, and the sum of grain, fertilizer and pesticides had the highest share of energy consumption in all levels. The results of Data Envelopment Analysis showed that technical, pure technical and scale efficiencies in the third level were 88, 93 and 94% and higher than the same amounts obtained in other levels. Results: Energy saving ratios in these levels were 6.83, 8.11 and 6.54 respectively. This indicates that 1512, 1957 and 1640 MJ/ha of total input energy can be saved, if the mentioned method is used. The results of greenhouse gas emission showed that diesel fuel has the highest share in the environmental pollutants. Optimization of energy consumption can totally decrease 6516.67 kg CO₂ produced in wheat production.