Energy Budgeting of Integrated Organic Farming System under Irrigated Ecology
Gaurav V. Mitkar *
Department of Agronomy, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra-444104, India.
Adinath N. Paslawar
Department of Agronomy, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra-444104, India.
Jayant P. Deshmukh
Department of Agronomy, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra-444104, India.
Shyam. M. Ghawade
Department of Vegetable Science, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra, 444104, India.
Sheshrao D. Chavan
Department of Animal Husbandary and Dairy Science, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra, 444104, India.
Dnyaneshwar V. Mali
Department of Soil Science, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra, 444104, India.
Parikshit V. Shingrup
Department of Agronomy, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra-444104, India.
Akshay S. Bayskar
Department of Agronomy, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra-444104, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Efficient energy utilization plays a crucial role in improving the productivity and sustainability of agricultural systems, particularly within integrated organic farming frameworks. The present study was conducted during 2023–24 at Centre of Organic Agriculture Research and Training, Dr. PDKV, Akola, to evaluate the energy dynamics of an Integrated Organic Farming System (IOFS) comprising five interlinked components: crops, vegetables, livestock, vermicomposting and a nutritional garden. Energy inputs and outputs of each component were quantified and expressed in energy equivalents to derive key indices such as energy use efficiency, net energy return, energy profitability and energy productivity. The results indicated considerable variation in energy use patterns among the system components. The livestock component recorded the highest energy input (58,987.12 MJ), primarily due to feed requirements, followed by vegetables (3,733.06 MJ) and crops (2,019.88 MJ). In terms of output, livestock also contributed the highest energy (42,910.20 MJ), followed by crops (24,823.93 MJ) and vegetables (7,840.92 MJ). However, the crop component exhibited superior performance in terms of energy use efficiency (12.39), net energy return (22,804.05 MJ), and energy profitability (11.29). Conversely, livestock and the nutritional garden showed negative net energy returns, indicating relatively higher energy consumption. Energy productivity was highest in the vermicomposting unit (1.21 kg MJ⁻¹), highlighting its efficiency in resource recycling. A substantial proportion of total energy input across the system was derived from renewable sources, reflecting the reduced dependence on non-renewable energy and the sustainability potential of the IOFS under irrigated conditions.
Keywords: Integrated organic farming system, energy use efficiency, net energy gain, resource recycling, agricultural sustainability etc.