Mohammad Bahadori - Department of Soil Science Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
Rasoul Loghmanpour zarini - Department of Agricultural Machinery Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
Mehdi Sabaghi alamshiri - Shahriar Collage of Agricultural, Shahriar, Tehran

The aims of this study were to estimate the amount of input and output energy per unit area and to make an economic analysis of Watermelon production in Mazandaran province, Iran. A survey was conducted using a face to face questionnaire with 65 Watermelon producers. The area investigated was divided into two groups. Group I was consisted of 40 farmers (owner of machinery and high level of farming technology) and Group II of 25 farmers (non­owner of machinery and low level of farming technology). The energy ratio, energy productivity, specific energy, net energy gain, also direct, indirect, renewable and non­renewable energies were calculated for both groups. The results indicated that total energy inputs for Group I and Group II were 62537.55 MJ ha­1 and 65555.23 MJ ha­1, respectively. Only 22.98% and 26.14% of the total energy inputs used in Watermelon production was renewable in Group I and Group II respectively. Results showed energy ratio of Watermelon production in Group I and Group II was 1.42 and 1.17, respectively. Cost analysis expressed that benefit–cost ratio in the surveyed groups were 2.74 and 2.16, respectively. Results revealed Group I has a better condition than Group II.

Energy consumption; Economic analysis; Farming technology; Iran; Watermelon