Effect of farm size on energy ratio for soybean production in Malwa plateau of Madhya Pradesh

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficiency of energy consumption of soybean production under different farmers ’category. Data used in the study were collected randomly from 128 farmers ’of Malwa plateau by using a face to face questionnaire method. The farmers were classified into four categories of marginal (l< 1 ha), small (1 to 2 ha), medium (2 to 4 ha) and large farmers (> 4 ha). The results indicated that total energy consumed by large farmers was found to be 10385 MJ/ha followed by medium farmers ’(9317 MJ/ha), small (8094 MJ/ha) and marginal (7749 MJ/ha). The highest yield value (1564 kg/ha) was obtained from large farmers followed by medium (1443 kg/ha), small (1307 kg/ha) and marginal farmers (1278 kg/ha). The results also revealed that energy use efficiency (4.28) was found for marginal farmers anddecreased as the farm size increased. Marginal farmers were more successful in energy use efficiency, indicating a better management of energy and input consumptions. It was concluded that energy management at farm level can improve consumption of energy.