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Economics of Sustainable Energy in Agriculture
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This chapter examines whether differences in the efficiency of the use of indirect energy of Dutch arable farms are attributable to differences in management. To do so, Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) was used to assess farm-specific efficiency scores for fertilisers — the input most important for energy conservation in crop farming. Next, using the concept of strategic management, the quality of fertilisation management was assessed for a sub-sample of the farms used in the DEA analyses. To assess the farmers’ mission, their major objectives were measured. The quality of the external analysis was evaluated by questions about the Mineral Accounting System (MINAS) that will become mandatory for Dutch arable farms by 2001. The internal analysis was evaluated by comparing farmers’ opinions on shortcomings in their fertilisation management with the shortcomings indicated by an interactive simulation model. The average technical efficiency score of indirect energy use at farm level was 61%,
suggesting scope for improvement. Average efficiency scores for individual crops varied between 33% and 51%. Significant positive correlations were found with the gross margins realised for winter wheat and potato, making it interesting for farmers to improve their fertilisation efficiency. The results indicate that if farmers knew their own farm data better and were able to incorporate this information into fertilisation strategy, they could improve their indirect energy efficiency.
Ekko C. van Ierland and Alfons Oude Lansink - Personal Name
1st Edtion
0-306-48018-2
NONE
Economics of Sustainable Energy in Agriculture
Economics
English
KLUWER ACADEMIC PUBLISHERS
2002
United States of America
1-230
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