Application of a Parametric Method for Energy Use Pattern in Cassava Production in Nigeria

This study applied parametric equations to examine energy consumption in cassava production in three different farm sizes and technologies in Kwara State of Nigeria. Production data from 175 cassava farmers were collected through questionnaires during 2015-2017 cropping seasons. Selected cassava farms were divided into nomechanization (small-scale; 1 to 5 ha), partial mechanization (medium scale; 6 to 15 ha) and fully mechanized (large-scale; 16 to 50 ha). There were 92 cassava farms in the no-mechanization category, partial mechanization category consisted of 54 farms and fully mechanized category consisted of 29 farms. Human labour, machinery, diesel fuel, chemicals, seed and fertilizers were considered as inputs that influenced cassava yield. Results of the study showed that cassava production used 4,904.87 MJ/ ha in no-mechanization farms, 36,240.44 MJ/ ha in partial mechanization farms and 96,257.93 MJ/ha in fully mechanized farms. The average energy output of cassava production in the study area was 107,632 MJ/ ha, 604,800 MJ/ha and 2,016,000 MJ/ha in respective of the category of farm type. Energy input- output ratio was estimated as 16.13, 16.69 and 20.94 for the three groups of farm. Cobb-Douglas function was applied to determine effects of inputs on cassava outputs. Indirect energy and non-renewable energy contributed to yield more than direct energy and renewable energy in medium and large-scale farms. Empirical results revealed that human labour, fertilizers, chemicals and seed were statistically significant and contribute to yield.