Energy inputs - Yield relationship and cost analysis of melon production in Khorasan Razavi province of Iran

This paper studies the energy consumption and finding relationship between energy inputs and yield, per hectare production of melon farms in Khorasan Razavi province, Iran. To this end, the data were collected from 94 farmers which were selected based on random sampling method. Total energy inputs in all stages of melon production was estimated as 1069332.26 MJ ha−1. Fuel (81.79%) was the most contributor to the energy consumption followed by Farmyard manure (13.34%). Energy use efficiency and energy productivity were gained 0.18 and 0.23 kg MJ−1, respectively. 84.95% of the total energy input was non-renewable while 15.05% was renewable. The shares of direct and indirect energy inputs were 83.03% and 16.97%. Econometric estimation results revealed that diesel fuel (0.90) had the highest impact among the inputs in melon production. The contribution of machinery, fertilizers, farmyard manure and water for irrigation was significant at the 1% level.