Abstract           Full Text

The aim of this study is to determine the energy efficiency of greenhouse cucumber production using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) method and to assess its main determinants in central region of Isfahan province, Iran. Data were collected through structured questionnaire and via face-to-face interview with 81 greenhouse farmers in 2016. The results showed that the higher level of farmer’s education played a positive role in improving energy efficiency, while long years of farming experience and using more family labor force had a negative effect. Among the farmer’s communication channels, visiting other greenhouses and consulting with agricultural input suppliers had the most positive effect on greenhouse energy conservation. Designing a process for visiting and following energy-efficient greenhouses can lead to less energy consumption. Due to the close relationship of the greenhouse farmers with the agricultural input vendors, mutual connection of outreach experts with agricultural input vendors plays a role in linking farmers and scientific and research centers and facilitates the exchange of problems and information, and knowledge and technology transition.