Comparative energy use in cassava production under different farming technologies in Kwara State of Nigeria

One of the main components of production expenses in agricultural operations is energy. The effectiveness of its application is frequently impacted in favor of other equally important aspects. The energy utilization in cassava production in three distinct farm sizes and technologies in Kwara State, Nigeria, was investigated using parametric equations. Questionnaires were used to obtain data on output from 175 cassava farmers. Farms were separated into three groups: group 1 (no mechanization), group 2 (partial mechanization), and group 3 (complete mechanization) (full mechanization). There were 92 farms in Group 1 (1-5 ha), 54 farms in Group 2 (6-15 ha), and 29 farms in Group 3 (16-50 ha). Human labor, machinery, diesel fuel, chemicals, seed, and fertilizers as inputs influenced cassava yield. Cassava production used 4904.87 MJ/ha/tonne in small-scale farms, 36352.04 MJ/ha/tonne in medium-scale farms, and 96257.93 MJ/ha/tonne in large-scale farms, according to the study's findings. In the study region, the average energy output of cassava production was 107,632 MJ/ha, 604,800 MJ/ ha, and 2,016,000 MJ/ha in the various farms. The energy input-output ratios for the three types of farms were calculated to be 16.13, 16.69, and 20.94 respectively. The Cobb-Douglas function was used to calculate the impacts of inputs on cassava outputs. In medium and large-scale farms, indirect and non-renewable energy contributed significantly more to yield than direct and renewable energy. Human labor, fertilizers, chemicals, and seed were statistically significant contributors to cassava productivity, according to empirical findings.