ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND GLOBAL WARMING POTENTIAL OF RICE (Oryza sativa) PRODUCTION IN LOKOJA, NIGERIA.

Abstract

Energy use in agriculture has developed in response to population increase, limited supply of arable land and desire for an increasing standard of living. Efficient use of energy resources in agriculture is one of the principal requirements for sustainable agricultural production, since it enhances financial savings, fossil resources preservation and air pollution reduction. This study determined energy efficiency and global warming effect of rice production in Lokoja, Kogi state. Structured questionnaires were administered to selected rice farmers in the study location to collect data on the input and output resources per hectare of rice cultivation. Secondary data which were not site-specific were sourced from relevant literature and database. Basic information on energy inputs and rice yields  were entered into Excel spreadsheet SPSS 16.0 for analysis and descriptive statistics as well as graphs were used in the interpretation of the data. The study indicated that manual energy accounted for 25.49% of total energy used, while thermal and chemical energy were 7.64% and 66.87% respectively. Other energetic parameters obtained include: energy ratio 3.59; energy productivity 0.24 kg/MJ; specific energy 4.09MJ/kg; and Net energy gain 19093.72 MJ/ha. The total global warming potential in rice cultivation was obtained as 375.53 kg CO₂ equivalent. The results of this study have shown that rice cultivation in study location (Lokoja, Kogi state) is energy efficient based on values of energetic parameters obtained. However, the cultivation of crop has contributed negatively to global warming potential.