Analysis of energy use for fig production in Turkey

It would be crucial for agricultural practices not only efficient and profitable but also well-balanced energy consumption in modem farm management. Fig production is prominent and historical for Turkey. The aim of the study was to determine energy consumption of input and output used in fig production in Aydin, Turkey. One of the major unique of this research work considers the farms which had sloping and plain lands for fig growing. The data for the fig production were collected in 67 fig farms by using a face-to-face questionnaire method in 2003/2004 production season. In the study, energy values were calculated by multiplying the amount of inputs by the related energy conversion factors. Total energy input in the research area varied between 14,768.42 and 19,241.77 MJ ha(-1), weighted mean 16,103.75 MJ ha(-1), being maximum on the farms which had plain lands and minimum on the agricultural holders which had sloping areas. The energy inputs of chemical fertilizers (44.82%), mainly nitrogen (35.58%), had the biggest share in the total energy. Therefore, it would be recommended that fig producers should use chemical fertilizers in respect of soil analysis.