Energy use pattern and sensitivity analysis of energy inputs and input costs for pear production in Iran

The purposes of this study were to determine energy use pattern and investigate the relationships between energy inputs and yield, cost inputs and income for pear production in the Tehran province of Iran. In this study, data were collected by administering a questionnaire in face-to-face interviews in the production year of 2009/2010. This article presents a comprehensive picture of the current status of energy consumption and some energy indices like energy ratio, energy productivity, specific energy, net energy and energy intensiveness. Results showed that the total energy input of 172,608.43 MJ ha−1 was required for pear production. Among input energy sources, electricity energy with share of 78% of total input energy had the highest share. The energy use efficiency and energy productivity were found as 0.51 and 0.27 kg MJ−1, respectively. To investigate the relationships between energy inputs and yield, cost inputs and income, Cobb–Douglas production function was selected as the best function. Sensitivity analysis of energy and cost inputs was carried out using the marginal physical productivity (MPP) technique. Economic analysis of pear production was carried out and total cost of pear production was obtained as 11,936.97 $ h−1. Also the benefit to cost ratio was calculated as 3.11.

► This study analyzes energy consumption and costs of pear production.
► Total energy input for pear production was 172,608.43 MJ ha−1
►  Electricity energy had the highest share of total energy and human labor expense had the highest share of total cost.
► Energy input–yield and cost input–income were modeled by Cobb–Douglas production function.
► The marginal physical productivity (MPP) technique was used to analyze the sensitivity of energy and cost inputs.