Energy use and cost analysis of watermelon production under different farming technologies in Iran

The aims of this study were to estimate the amount of input and output energy per unit area and to make an economic analysis of watermelon production in Ramadan province, Iran. A survey was conducted using a face to face questionnaire with 85 watermelon producers. The area investigated was divided into two groups. Group I was consisted of 54 farmers (owner of machinery and high level of farming technology) and Group II of 31 farmers (non-owner of machinery and low level of farming technology). The energy ratio, energy productivity, specific energy, net energy gain, also direct, indirect, renewable and non-renewable energies were calculated for both groups. The results indicated that total energy inputs were 67674.24 MJ ha⁻¹ for Group I and 68788.37 MJ ha⁻¹ for Group II. Only 21.03% and 19.94% of the total energy inputs used in watermelon production was renewable in Group I and Group II respectively. Results showed energy ratio of watermelon production in Group I and Group II was 1.26 and 1.13, respectively. Cost analysis expressed that benefit-cost ratio in the surveyed groups were 2.61 and 2.06, respectively. Results revealed Group I has a better condition than Group II.