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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Vol. 11 No. 4 (2024)

Energy efficiency and economic analysis of mechanized vs conventional cotton production system: A comparative study under rainfed vertisols of Tamil Nadu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.4983
Submitted
7 September 2024
Published
18-11-2024 — Updated on 23-11-2024
Versions

Abstract

Energy efficiency plays a pivotal role in optimizing input use and improving the sustainability of agricultural practices, especially in energy-intensive crops like cotton. Due to its high economic importance, cotton cultivation has been in the need of the hour in developing mechanized cultivation practices aimed at improving production efficiency. This study evaluated energy consumption and performed an economic analysis of mechanized versus conventional cotton production under rainfed vertisols in Tamil Nadu. Among the various inputs, fertilizer application consumed the most energy in both systems, followed by labor energy differences between the 2 methods. Mechanized cultivation drastically reduced labor energy requirements (174.2 MJ/ha) compared to manual methods (2215.6 MJ/ha), highlighting the potential for labor savings. Mechanized cultivation also showed more efficient use of non-renewable energy sources, whereas conventional methods relied more on renewable energy inputs, highlighting the trade-offs between the 2 systems. Mechanized cultivation significantly reduced production costs (Rs. 74290/ha) compared to conventional methods (Rs. 140440/ha), largely due to a 47.8 % reduction in labor costs, demonstrating its economic viability. This study suggests that improving the energy efficiency of mechanized cotton production should prioritize efficient fertilizer use and reducing diesel fuel consumption through enhanced machinery performance.

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