Energy productivity and efficiency of maize accounting for the choice of growing season and environmental factors: an empirical analysis from Bangladesh

Rahman, S. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0391-6191 and Rahman, M. S. (2013) Energy productivity and efficiency of maize accounting for the choice of growing season and environmental factors: an empirical analysis from Bangladesh. Energy, 49. pp. 329-336. ISSN 0360-5442 doi: 10.1016/j.energy.2012.10.042

Abstract/Summary

The paper evaluates sustainability of maize cultivation in Bangladesh in terms of energy use while taking into account factors affecting choice of the growing season and farmers' production environment using a sample selection framework applied to stochastic frontier models. Results reveal that the probability of growing winter maize is influenced positively by gross return, irrigation, subsistence pressure, soil suitability and temperature variability whereas extension contact influences choice negatively. Significant differences exist between winter and summer maize regarding yield, specific energy, net energy balance, energy use efficiency and technical energy efficiency although both systems are highly sustainable and efficient. The energy output from winter maize is 199,585 MJ/ha which is 53.9% higher than the summer maize output of 129,701 MJ/ha. Also, energy input use of winter maize is 110.6% higher than the summer maize. Energy inputs from mechanical power, seeds, fertilizers and organic manures significantly increase energy productivity of winter maize whereas only mechanical power influences summer maize productivity. However, temperature variation and rainfall significantly reduce energy productivity of summer maize. Policy implications include investments in soil conservation and irrigation, development of weather resistant varieties and raising maize price will boost maize cultivation in Bangladesh, a highly sustainable production technology.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/105904
Identification Number/DOI	10.1016/j.energy.2012.10.042
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	No Reading authors. Back catalogue items Life Sciences > School of Agriculture, Policy and Development > Department of Agri-Food Economics & Marketing
Publisher	Elsevier
Download/View statistics	View download statistics for this item