The energy and water cost of sugar production in a semi- arid context: a comparative analysis of sugar beet and sugar cane production and processing in Morocco

摘要

A comparative analysis of the production and processing of sugar beet and sugar cane in Morocco was carried out with regards to energy and water use. Total agricultural energy inputs for sugar beet were 33.79 GJ/ha and in the case of sugar cane were 5 9.33 GJ/ha for plant cane and 35.65 GJ/ha for ratoons. The major energy inputs for both were diesel fuel, electricity and fertilisers. In sugar beet production fertiliser application accounted for more than 50/100 of total agricultural energy inputs.