Energy Use Efficiency and Economics of Chickpea Production: A Comparison of Integrated Crop Management and Farmers’ Practices in Rajasthan

Energy analysis of agroecosystems and cropping systems is an important tool to assess environmental and soil- related challenges and their relation to sustainability. Chickpea cultivation, being energy-intensive, requires systematic evaluation in terms of energy budgeting, efficiency and productivity under different management practices.

The present study aimed to compare the economics of chickpea cultivation in terms of energy budgeting, energy efficiency and energy productivity. Data were collected through face-to-face questionnaires with farmers and crop cutting experiments were conducted each year from 2018–19 to 2022–23 by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sawaimadhopur. Two management practices were compared: farmers’ practice and integrated crop management (ICM).

The total energy requirement under ICM plots (5219.18, 5219.18, 5515.14, 5515.14 and 5221.14 MJ ha^-1 from 2018–19 to 2022–23) was approximately 12.73%, 12.73%, 7.72%, 7.72% and 12.74% lower, respectively, than that of farmers’ practice (5977.32 MJ ha^-1). The energy use efficiency of ICM plots was higher each year (15.78, 16.73, 15.32, 15.62 and 16.53) compared to farmers’ practice (11.04, 11.99, 11.14, 12.26 and 12.30). Similarly, energy productivity in ICM plots (0.42, 0.42, 0.39, 0.39 and 0.42) was consistently greater than in farmers’ practice plots (0.27, 0.30, 0.30, 0.31 and 0.31).