METHODICAL APPROACHES TO ESTIMATION OF ENERGY RESOURCES COSTS IN AGRICULTURE

Abstract

The article is devoted to topical issues of estimating the cost of energy resources in agriculture. The terminology is systematized and a number of formulations are specified, in particular the concept of «accumulated energy consumption». The term «reduced energy consumption» and now has its supporters and opponents. The latter believe that the name «accumulated energy consumption» more accurately reflects the essence of the phenomenon. Accumulated energy consumption is the total amount of primary energy actually consumed in the national economy in all processes, which in turn lead to the production of this product or the completion of the production process. Methods of classification of energy consumption in agricultural production are determined. The advantages and disadvantages of methods for calculating the energy intensity of agricultural products – process analysis and analysis of industry links. The method of process analysis helps to reflect the flow of the next technological operations of production of a particular product. The method of analysis of sectoral relations involves the selection of individual industries and the subsequent consideration of material resources (raw materials, services) that a particular industry receives from others, as well as those that it reproduces and then transfers to other industries. It is proposed to use the indicator of energy cost efficiency for a comprehensive assessment of the production activity of agricultural enterprises, and it is important to compare energy and economic efficiency of production, where energy efficiency only complements economic efficiency and acts as part of the calculations. In turn, the variability of current prices can be overcome to some extent, using estimated comparable prices. At the same time the restrictions and lacks arising in case of application of technical indicators disappear. In addition, reporting that prices do not adequately reflect the value of production costs, we should not forget that the data used in energy calculations of accumulated energy consumption for certain types of costs in many cases are only estimated or even conditional.