Energy and economic efficiency analysis of rice and cotton production in China

Energy is a key factor in boosting crop yield for rapidly growing world population. Plan to conserve energy for future generations without threatening the food supply, requires a comprehensive analysis of energy inputs and outputs as a result. A study was conducted in 2002-03 to ascertain the effects of different parameters of energy inputs on biomass production of rice and cotton in Liuyuankou Irrigation System, Henan province of China. The contribution of direct energy, including human, pumping and tractor, was 30% and 14% of the total energy required to grow rice and cotton crops respectively. Pumping energy alone was 13% and 1% of the total energy required for growing rice and cotton crops respectively. Fertilizer was another major component of indirect energy inputs for both of these crops accounting for 76% and 63% for cotton and rice, respectively. The comparison of Chinese farms with Turkish and Indian farms showed that the fertilizer applied on Chinese farms was significantly higher than Turkish and Indian farms. Moreover, fertilizer application in Turkey boosted the yield significantly. The fertilizer application on Indian farms was too low to impact on yield. However, it improved energy efficiency. The overall energy efficiency, energy productivity, water productivity and combined energy and water productivity were lower for cotton crop. The net return was higher for cotton because of its higher price in the market