Emergy Analysis of Maize Production in Ghana

The data file entitled “Emergy analysis of maize production in Ghana” is based on an empirical study to assess the resource as well as energy use efficiency of maize production systems using the Emergy-Data Envelopment Analysis approach, which was developed within the context of the BiomassWeb Project. The study area was Bolgatanga and Bongo Districts, Ghana, sub-Saharan Africa. The approach was developed by coupling Emergy Analysis and Data Envelopment Analysis methods into a framework, and integrating the concept of eco-efficiency into the framework to assess the resource as well as energy use efficiency and sustainability of agroecosystems as a whole. In this data file, the Emergy Analysis method is applied to achieve enviromental and economic accounting of maize production systems in Ghana. The Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator (APSIM) was used to model five maize-based production scenarios as follows:
1. Extensive rainfed maize system if the external input is 0 kg/ha/yr urea, with/ without manure (Extensive0).
2. Extensive rainfed maize system if the external input is 12 kg/ha/yr NPK, with/ without manure (Extensive12).
3. Rainfed maize-legume (cowpea - Vigna unguiculata, soybean - Glycine max, or groundnut - Arachis hypogaea) intercropping system if the external input is 20 kg/ha/yr urea, with/ without manure (Intercrop20).
4. Intensive maize system if the external input is 50 kg/ha/yr urea, including supplemental irrigation (Intensive50).
5. Intensive maize system if the external input is 100 kg/ha/yr urea, including supplemental irrigation (Intensive100).
The five scenarios were compared on the basis of the evaluation that was achieved using the Emergy Analysis to account for resource as well as energy use efficiency and sustainability.

The data were processed using mathemathical functions in Microsoft Excel. The data file is organized in seven sheet tabs, and they are linked. Comments have been added to make the content self-explanatory. Where secondary data have been used, the sources have been cited. This data file was authored by Mwambo, Francis Molua.