An Analysis of Improving Energy Use in Apricot Production using Data Envelopment Analysis in Yazd Province Abarkooh County

Subject Areas : Agricultural Economics Research

A. Alavirad ¹

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Received: 2016-04-27 Accepted : 2016-04-27 Published : 2016-02-20

Keywords: DEA, improving energy use, energy ratio, apricot,

Abstract :

Apricot is one of the most important horticultural products in Iran. Iran ranks second after Turkeyin apricot production. Conducting an overall energy survey and economic analysis of Apricot production can provide useful information for improving energy efficiency. In this paper, Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) technique was applied for apricot producers to analyze the Energy input-output relationships. The data was collected from 68 producer in the summer of 2013 using random sampling. The results revealed that the total energy input for apricot production was 61168.65 MJ ha–1. The largest share of energy inputs belong to electricity, gasoline and livestock manure respectively. The VRS analysis showed that only 43 of DMUs were efficient. The highest share in saving energy use belong to electricity (43%). The results revealed that production of apricots in Yazd Province, under current management practices, are not energy efficient and efforts should be made to improve energy use efficiency.