Energy budgeting, sensitivity analysis and greenhouse gas emission from rice production system: a case study from the coastal ecosystem of Goa, India

Abstract In recent years, energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are of major concern across the globe In this context, using data envelopment analysis, a study was done to determine the energy usage pattern and efficiency of rice farmers in the coastal state. The results showed that rice production systems had energy use efficiency, energy productivity, net energy, and human energy profitability of 2.40, 0.16 MJ/kg, 15728 MJ/ha, and 42.8, respectively. 5 and 21 farmers were judged to be efficient based on technical and pure technical efficiency, respectively. The mean scale efficiency of inefficient farmers was 0.68 which indicated the scope for refining agricultural practices to input use. Nitrogen, farmyard manure, and seeds have a positive impact on crop yield, whereas labor and diesel harm both crop yield and energy, according to the econometric model. The main non-renewable inputs contributing to GHG emissions are nitrogen fertiliser (72.1 kg CO2 eq./ha), fuel (68.5 kg CO2 eq./ha), and machinery (68.9 kg CO2 eq./ha). Indirect (81.7%) and non-renewable (73.8%) energy consumption was found to be higher than direct (18.3%) and renewable energy consumption (26.2%). Our findings suggested that farmers in this region should use conservation tillage and better crop management strategies to save energy and minimize GHG emissions.