On-farm energetics of mango production in Nigeria

Abstract: The aims of this study were to determine direct input energy, indirect energy and other energy use indices in mango production in a group of mango plantation of a research farm in Nigeria. The study also estimated the economic indices of mango production in the study area and energy potentials of mango by-products. The average energy consumption of the plantations investigated in this study is 15,015.16 MJ ha−1. Out of the total energy, 93% was direct and 7% was indirect. Renewable energy accounted for 21% and energy usage efficiency was found to be 1.3. The total energy input into the production of 1 kg of mango was estimated to be 0.70 MJ. The dominant contribution to input was energy in the form of diesel used in tractor operation and captive power generation (56%), followed by human labor used for land preparation, cultural practices and harvesting (33%), machinery (5%) and chemicals, mainly herbicides (4%). The use of energetically available residues of mango could give an average value addition of 57,067 MJ/ha. The cost of mango production per hectare was found to be 2246 $ ha−1. As a result of benefit-cost ratio value (1.24), energy use efficiency and the energy value addition from mango residues, mango production was found to be economically efficient in the study area. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]