Analytical Appraisal of Energy Input Use in the Production of Maize in Punjab

Abstract

Maize is considered one among the options for diversification and is being mainly cultivated in zones I and II of Punjab. The analytical appraisal of energy use and productivity status of farmers raising maize was carried out with the help of partial regression coefficients, Kopp's measure of technical efficiency and linear programming techniques. Use of energy through animal, seed and machinery in irrigated maize in zone I and seed, machinery and area under the crop in zone II made a significant contribution in the production of maize. Increasing return to scale prevailed in irrigated maize in zone I and decreasing return to scale was observed in zone II. Wide variation and low technical efficiency rating of input use was observed in zone II. Using existing level of energy inputs available at farm, the yield of maize can be increased by 6.07 percent in zone I and 15.35 percent in zone II. Study revealed that the existing level of yield of maize in these respective zones could be achieved by reducing the energy input by 7.37 and 20.33 percent respectively in zones I and II over the actual use.