Energy use Pattern for Cultivation of Maize Crop in Punjab

Now a days cropping pattern, farm activities and level of technology define the energy requirements. Energy needs are not only increasing in agricultural sector but in all sectors involving human activities. Realising the implications of energy use, it was decided to carry out a study on energy consumption pattern for cultivation of maize under different agro-climatic zones. An attempt was also made to optimise the energy inputs using frontier production function. Seedbed preparation, irrigation, harvesting and shelling consumed more than 70% of the total energy input under irrigated conditions. By using un-constraint frontier function, the farmers can increase yield by 2.6% in zone 1, 4.0% in zone 2 and 3.8% in zone 3. However, by using constraint frontier energy inputs, the farmers can save 3–11% energy to maintain the same yield level.