Modelling of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Wheat Production in Irrigated and Rain-Fed Systems in Khorasan Razavi Province, Iran

Agriculture has a key role in greenhouse gas emissions.  As such, the present study aimed to evaluate the greenhouse gas emissions from wheat production in irrigated and rain-fed systems. The primary data were collected from 116 wheat farmers. The results showed that the total greenhouse gas emissions from wheat production in irrigated and rain-fed systems were 637.8 and 65.12 kgCO2eq, respectively. The diesel fuel was the largest contributor to the total greenhouse gas emissions in irrigated systems with the share of 33%. Moreover, these inputs accounted for the highest share of greenhouse gas emissions in rain-fed system. The results of Cobb-Douglas model highlighted that the effects of inputs, including machinery, diesel fuel, electricity, and farmyard manure were positive on the yield in irrigated systems. However, the effect of chemical fertilizer and biocide inputs was negative on wheat yield. On the other hand, the effects of all inputs were positive on wheat yield in rain-fed system. The results of the sensitivity analysis showed that one kg increase in greenhouse gas emissions from chemical fertilizer and biocide would result in 0.28 and 0.15 kg loss of yield, respectively.