Comparative Energy Audit of Maize and Wheat Cultivation Under Different Farm Power Sources in Himachal Pradesh
摘要
Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) are major staple food crops in India but their cultivation in the state of Himachal Pradesh is constrained by undulated topography, small landholdings and limited mechanization. The present study was undertaken with the aim of examining energy consumption and its efficiency in maize and wheat production under different farm power sources and across varying landholding categories. The input data were collected from 300 farmers across a total of 30 villages in ten out of the twelve districts using an interview-based questionnaire. The collected input energy data such as human power, animal and mechanical power, seed, fertilizers, irrigation, and other field operations were estimated using standard energy equivalent values. The total energy input in maize cultivation varied from 5,271 to 7,444 MJ ha⁻1 with tractor-operated large farms recording the lowest (5,271 MJ ha⁻1), whereas small farms operated with bullocks showed the highest (7,444 MJ ha⁻1) energy consumption. Wheat cultivation required 15–28% more energy than maize, mainly due to higher inputs for fertilizer application and land preparation. Maize recorded higher grain yields (6.13–6.19 t ha⁻1) than wheat (4.37–4.39 t ha⁻1), which translated into better energy performance indicators. Energy-use efficiency was notably higher in maize, ranging from 12.18 in bullock-operated farms under < 1 ha landholdings to 17.26 in tractor-operated farms under > 1 ha landholdings, compared to wheat (5.35–6.92). Similarly, maize recorded lower specific energy (0.85–1.21 MJ kg⁻1) and higher energy productivity (0.83–1.17 kg MJ⁻1) than wheat (2.12–2.75 MJ kg⁻1 and 0.36–0.47 kg MJ⁻1, respectively). Across different farm power sources, larger landholdings (> 1 ha) generally recorded 13–16% lower total energy input, 14–23% higher energy-use efficiency, 12–20% lower specific energy, and 3–5% higher net energy compared to smaller landholdings. The study concluded that appropriate mechanization and better farm management can significantly enhance productivity, energy efficiency, and sustainability of maize–wheat systems in the hill regions of Himachal Pradesh.