An economic analysis of energy requirements and input costs for tomato production in Turkey

The aim of this study was to examine direct and indirect input energy in per hectare in tomato (industrial type) production and compare it with production costs. The research also sought to analyse the effect of farm size. For this purpose, the data were collected from 95 tomato farmers by questionnaire method. The results indicated that tomato production consumed a, total of 45.53 GJ ha(-1) of which diesel energy consumption was 34.82% followed by fertilizer and machinery energy. Output-input energy ratio and energy productivity were found to be 0.80 and 0.99 kg of tomato MJ(-1), respectively. Cost analysis revealed that the most important cost items were labour costs, machinery costs, land rent and pesticide costs. According to the benefit-cost ratio, large farms were more successful in energy use and economic performance. It was concluded that energy use management at farm level could be improved to give more efficient and economic use of energy. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.