Production of maize, which is the main crop in Zambia, requires optimization of energy at all stages of production. The energy used in carrying out field operations in production is derived from human, animai and mechanical power. Farming has been classified as small, medium or commercial scale depending upon the sources of power and size of cultivated land. The study conducted in Zambia has shown that the energy input per hectare of small medium and large scale farming is in the ratio of 1:2:11. The energy input for small scale fanning is 211 MJ per hectare. The average energy output/input ratio is 27. It was also found that 26 percent, 7 percent and 67 percent of the total physical energy input was from human, animal and mechanical power, respectively.
展开▼
