Estimation and comparison of energy input–output and efficiency indices for rice–wheat agroecosystems of Doon Valley, India

Energy use in the rice–wheat crop production system is a major contributor to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Understanding input-wise energy flows in the production system is vital to optimize input–output and estimating GHG emissions and global warming potential. Doon Valley, India, has energy-intensive agriculture practices and a survey-based assessment was undertaken in this area covering 63 farms. According to the present study, rice and wheat production requires 63,825 and 50,799 MJ ha–1 of total energy input respectively. The main contributors were electricity, fertilizers and diesel for both crops; however, irrigation water was also a significant contributor in the case of rice. The yield per unit of energy use was relatively low which warrants better crop management practices to reduce the environmental footprint of the rice–wheat cropping system.