Energy Use and Cost Analysis of Olive Under Flat and Sloping Growing Conditions

Olive is an important crop that grows under different cultivation systems of the western Turkey. Efficient use of energy and cost is an important step in terms of increasing the sustainability of olive cultivation. Energy and cost of olive farms analysed under traditional-flat/sloping and intensive-flat systems established on hilly or flat areas in a semiarid environment. Data of inputs and outputs collected in 165 farms through face to face questionnaires. Total energy consumed was 31098.2, 14293.3 and 7380.5 MJ ha-1 for intensive-flat, traditional-flat and sloping systems. Energy inputs of fertilizer was the highest for traditional and intensive flat by 12.93 and 8.95% of the total energy inputs, respectively. Highest net energy gain, ratio, productivity and lowest specific energy were estimated as 14332.8 MJ ha-1, 1.46, 0.93 kg MJ-1 and 1.07 MJ kg-1, respectively, in intensive-flat system. Highest net return (5256.5 € ha-1), a benefit to cost ratio (1.99) and productivity (1.66 kg €-1) was calculated for the same system. Therefore, the results can be very useful in evaluating the sustainability of olive cultivation in this part of the country possessing the characteristic of semiarid, and can also provide a useful guide in order to prioritize the steps for increasing energy efficiency and decreasing cost without worsening environmental conditions.