Abstract

This study was undertaken to evaluate the energy inputs for banana production, to identify the highest energy consuming operations, and to examine the energy equivalents of inputs and output in banana production in the Mersin province of Turkey. Data were collected from 89 banana growers via a questionnaire. Results showed that the total energy inputs were 51560.05 MJha^-1 and outputs were 98024.88 MJha^-1. Electricity was the highest input energy responsible for 27.55% of the total energy consumed in the banana production. Electricity, farmyard manure and use of machinery were the most important inputs for banana production, while human labour (although intensively used), accounted for small energy inputs due to conversion factor used. According to research results, energy output-input ratio was calculated as 1.90 MJha^-1, specific energy as 0.99 MJkg^-1, energy productivity as 1.00 kgMJ^-1, energy intensiveness as 1.23 MJTL^-1 and net energy yield as 46464.83 MJha^-1.

Key words: Energy input, energy output, energy analysis, banana, Turkey