An Analysis of Energy Use Efficiency and Environmental Prices of Grapefruit (Citrus Paradisi) Production in Turkey: A Case of Hatay Province

Abstract

The aim of this research was to determine the amount of energy input and output used for grapefruit production in the province of Hatay, one of the most important citrus production centers in Turkey, and to conduct energy efficiency and environmental price analyses accordingly. This study was performed for the 2020 production season in Arsuz, Erzin, Dortyol, and Samandag towns in Hatay province. The data were collected from 42 different grapefruit growers by using a face-to-face questionnaire method. The agricultural input values, input energies, output values, and output energies used in grapefruit production were computed to determine the energy efficiency. Also, environmental prices were calculated depending on greenhouse gas (GHG) emission of agricultural inputs. According to the results of the research, the energy input was found to be 60,944.87 MJ ha(-1), and the output was 107,982.64 MJ ha(-1) in grapefruit production. The environmental price was 464 euro ha(-1), and the total GHG emission was calculated as 8140.35 kgCO(2-eq) ha(-1). Electricity consumption accounted for 42.06% of the total GHG emissions in grapefruit production. This was followed by the use of nitrogen fertilizer, at 16.94%. The GHG ratio was found to be 0.13 kgCO(2-eq) kg(-1). Energy use efficiency, specific energy, energy efficiency, and net energy value were determined as 1.77, 0.96 MJ kg(-1), 1.04 kg MJ(-1), and 47,037.77 MJ ha(-1), respectively. The renewable energy usage rate was 14.14% of the total energy input. Energy efficiency should be increased in grapefruit production, and more renewable energy should be used for sustainable agriculture and a clean environment.