1Department of Agricultural Economics, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Distt. Ahmednagar-413722, (MS).
*This paper is based on the Ph.D. Thesis of the senior author submitted to M.P.K.V., Rahuri. We are thankful to the unknown referee for his valuable comments.
Alternative uses of crop and animal residues are the key for the rural energy system. Optimization of energy for rainfed and irrigated farms using linear programming technique indicated the need to replace the area under cereals by pulses and oilseeds. Energy use in the irrigated region was 7.67, 7.54 and 3.98 times more than that in the rainfed region for small, medium and large farm size groups respectively. The higher energy ratio indicated that comparatively more output per unit of input was obtained in the rainfed region than that from the irrigated region. The per farm revenue in the optimal plan increased by Rs. 3772.24 in the rainfed region and by Rs. 4598.04 in the irrigated region at the overall level. Increased production of biomass reduced the requirement of purchased feed, fuel and manure.
