Determination of relationship between wheat farm size and energy indexes in west Azerbaijan province, Iran

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between farm size and energy productivity of wheat production in west Azerbaijan province, Iran.  Farmers with different farm sizes (less than two hectares, between two and five hectares and more than five hectares) were randomly selected.  Questionnaires were filled by 61 farmers.  Then total used energy, produced energy, energy productivity and energy ratio were calculated for each farm.  Also the relationship between energy indexes and three methods of tillage and planting (combination machine, seed drill and seed spreader) and three harvesting methods (combine harvester, mower and hand tools) were calculated.  The data were analyzed by SPSS software.  The results showed that fertilizers (43%) and machinery (40%) was the maximum portion of total used energy on farm.  There was no significant linear relationship between the farm size and energy indexes.  There was no significant relationship between energy indexes and harvesting methods.  But there was a significant relationship between tillage and planting methods and energy indexes.  Results showed that tillage and planting methods such as combination tillage and planter machine application increases the effect of farm size on energy indexes.

Keywords: farm size, energy productivity, used energy, energy production