Analysis of Energy Consumption Pattern for Yam Production in Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

Modern agricultural operations globally are consuming large energy resources and generating environmental issues that hinders it sustainability. This study was conducted to investigate the energy use pattern for yam production in Benue State, Nigeria. Data on energy resources used for yam production  for two farming seasons were gathered from eighty-one (81) farms consisting small, medium, and large farms through  direct and indirect mmethods. Standard energy equations were used to convert the quantity of resources used to its energy equivalent. The farms were evaluated using standard performance indicators. Human labour, thermal, machinery and chemical energy were identified as the major sources of energy common to the three categories of farm. Energy analysis reveals that the average total energy inputs were 19835.08, 19392.17 and 19024.37MJ/ha. The average energy outputs achieved were 57131.17, 58904.17, 60298.42 MJ / ha, respectively. The energy ratios obtained were 2.88, 3.03 and 3.17, respectively, suggesting that energy was used efficiently. Large farm exhibits the highest level of efficiency compare to small and medium farms. The contributions of indirect energy were 19287.92, 18780.11, and 18406.52 MJ/ha which represented  97.25,  96.85, and 96.76% of the total energy, respectively. This findings indicate that the production of yam in Nigeria depends heavily on the indirect energy form dominated by biological and chemical energy. Finally, it can be concluded that the large-scale yam farming has lesser dependency on indirect energy and non-renewable energy sources.