Bird Survivability Outcomes on Ghanaian Broiler Farms: An Application of the Data Envelopment Analysis
2025
AMELEKE*, G.Y. | BORTIEH, B.B. | TAKYIAKWAA , D. | LAMPTEY, V.K.
Inefficiency in poultry farming could manifest in low growth rates or high mortality (low survivability) rates. Thus, taking steps to maximise survivability rates on farms is a key avenue through which efficiency and competitiveness of broiler production can be improved. In this study, the efficiency of broiler farms was analysed based on bird survivability outcomes. Furthermore, the influence of farmer experience and socioeconomic variables on bird survivability were assessed. Using, data from 144 broiler chicken producers in purposively selected regions (Ashanti, Bono, and Greater Accra), Data Envelopment Analysis was done to estimate technical efficiency. Additionally, the Tobit model was used to assess the influence of experience and other variables on efficiency. The results showed that average efficiency on farms was high (0.91) but had a wide spread (0.50-1). Also, experience of the farmer and his access to extension services had positive effects on efficiency. However, as experience increased the rate of increase in efficiency reduced. This suggests that putting measures such as constant training in place could counteract such diminishing returns to experience and thereby arrest decreases in efficiency.
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