Greenhouse Gas Emission, Energy Use and Cost Analysis of Citrus Production: Case Study of Mazandaran Province

This research aimed to investigate the greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), energy consumption and production costs of dominant citrus produced in Mazandaran province of Iran. The relationship between input and output energies was investigated using the Cobb-Douglas model and sensitivity analysis. The results showed that two inputs including chemical fertilizer and diesel fuel with a share of 48.50% and 16.90% were widely consumed in the production of energy resources. Two inputs of animal manure and diesel fuel with 43.30% and 18.50% had the most greenhouse gas emissions in citrus production. The results of the sensitivity analysis showed that increasing 1 MJ in energy inputs, the machinery and fuel inputs had a positive effective on citrus yield, respectively. The results of economic analysis revealed that three inputs of human labor, chemicals and chemical fertilizers were allocated the highest of variable costs as 39.32%, 28.51% and 22.89%, respectively. In order to improve the sustainablility of citrus production, some practical solutions are suggested.