Sensitivity analysis of energy inputs for barley production in Hamedan Province of Iran

The objectives of this study were to determine the energy consumption and evaluation of inputs sensitivity for barley production in Hamedan Province, Iran. The sensitivity of energy inputs was estimated using the marginal physical productivity (MPP) method and partial regression coefficients on barley yield. The results revealed that total energy input for barley production was similar to 25,027 MJ ha(-1); the non-renewable energy shared about 66% while the renewable energy did 34%. Energy use efficiency, energy productivity, and net energy were 2.86, 0.19 kg MJ(-1), and similar to 46,498 MJ ha(-1), respectively. Econometric model evaluation showed that machinery energy was the most significant input which affects the output level. Sensitivity analysis indicates that with an additional use of 1 MJ of each of the human labour, machinery and electricity energy would lead to an increase in yield by 7.37, 1.66 and 0.33 kg, respectively. Also, the MPP of biocides energy was calculated to be -1.97 implying that the use of biocides energy is in excess for barley production, causing an environmental risk problem in the region. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.