Optimization of energy consumption and input costs for apple production in Iran using data envelopment analysis

In this study a non-parametric method of data envelopment analysis (DEA) was applied to analyze the efficiency of farmers, discriminate efficient farmers from inefficient ones and to identify wasteful uses of energy in order to optimize the energy inputs for apple production in Tehran province, Iran. From this study the following results were obtained: from the total of 56 farmers, considered for the analysis, 34% and 54% were found to be technically and pure technically efficient, respectively. The technical, pure technical and scale efficiency scores of farmers were 0.7857, 0.8982 and 0.8666, respectively. Optimum energy requirement was found to be 37993.15 MJ ha−1; indicating that 11.29% of total energy input could be saved if the recommendations of this study are followed. From total energy saving, the contribution of electrical energy was the highest; it followed by chemicals energy inputs; implying that there was a great scope for saving energy inputs by improving the use pattern of these inputs. The results of economical analysis showed that the total costs of production could decreased from 8227.70 to 7570.01 $ ha−1; also the benefit to cost ratio and productivity improved from 1.24 to 1.34 and 2.52 to 2.74, respectively.

Research highlights
► From the total farmers considered, about 34% were globally efficient farmers; 18% were only lacally efficient, also the remainder were inefficient.
► 11.29% from total energy consumption could be saved in present condition; from which the contributions of electrical and chemicals energies were relatively high.
► The extension officers of agricultural institutions have significant roles for establishing the energy and economically efficient and environmentally sensitive apple production.